How good and pleasant it is
    when God’s people live together in unity! – Psalm 133:1

The “secret sauce” to ministry is people!

Happy Monday, friends! This has been another really excellent weekend, with amazing people, beautiful worship with our church family, great food, lots accomplished, even more left undone and so much love for our new community.

I think the signature event had to have been our now “traditional” dinner with anniversary friends from Wake Forest. First, the backstory:

With literally hundreds of people at WFPC, and weekly attendance around 400 up until COVID, there were many folk celebrating wedding anniversaries all of the time. However, one Sunday back in 2019, Rebekah happened to be talking with Rick and Karen Mohlmann, who mentioned their 50th coming up.

“That’s wonderful,” she said, “Derek and I are doing 40!”

Kathy and Ed Pulliam overheard. “We’re on 30!” Then Judy Finch chimed in, “This year is 20 for me and Denny!”

“50, 40, 30 and 20! That’s enough for a party!” Rebekah said. “Let’s all get together for dinner.”

We did, and the evening was such a success we made plans to do it every five years.

Rocky Mount Mills:

So Saturday we all met up at the The Prime Smokehouse in Rocky Mount Mills. It’s the first time Rebekah and I have been to the restored cotton mill complex and we were impressed with the scale of the expansive campus.

I think it especially resonated because the concept dovetails so well with this whole restoration vibe we’ve been leaning into of late.

Best of all, though, was to see our friends. We are especially thankful for the durability of so many of the amazing relationships that have defined our ministry experiences over the years.

There may be no box to check for it on a preacher’s official resumé (more’s the pity), but Rebekah’s most potent ministry gift is that of loving people. And we do love Rick, Karen, Ed, Kathy, Judy and Denny.

Here’s an idea in these contentious times. How about we put all that energy into following the most fundamental commandment Jesus ever spoke?

Jesus: “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” – John 13:34-35

In love, and because love is the answer – DEREK