It has been several months now since I moved to Louisville KY and placed membership with the Douglass Hills congregation. It has been a truly wonderful experience. As this new year begins, I thought I would share with you some of the aspects of my situation at Douglass Hills that have made it such a strengthening environment for me.
Elders. The five men who serve as spiritual shepherds of the congregation are exceptionally godly and wise men who are guiding the work at Douglass Hills in an extraordinary way. I am blessed to count them as friends as well as brothers, and their decisions in regard to my membership in the congregation have been important in my ongoing recovery from the difficulties of the past two years. I couldn’t have five better men to watch for my soul.
Preachers. Paul Earnhart, Mark McCrary, and Tristan Ganchero have each been a rich spiritual and emotional resource to me. Their wisdom has been helpful in several different directions. And their preaching has been just what I need to hear. I look forward to every sermon and Bible class, and am growing steadily under their teaching.
Relationships. Having lived in Louisville previously, there are many people here whose friendship is important to me right now. It has been a joy to reconnect with these friends. The network of relationships I have access to in Louisville provides the support I need at this time, and I do not take this blessing for granted.
Worship services. Over the years, I have worshiped with many congregations, but when it comes to the quality of its worship services, Douglass Hills falls into a special category. I eagerly anticipate each service and have never failed to be refreshed, strengthened, and exhorted to greater faithfulness. Such services do not happen by accident — they are the result of wisdom, love for the Lord, and careful planning.
Lord’s Supper. Never have I benefited from the Lord’s Supper more than I do at Douglass Hills. The men who speak to us at the table do an amazing job of concentrating our thinking on the Lord’s death, as well as encouraging us to leave the assembly better servants and disciples. The Lord’s Supper becomes more meaningful to me every Sunday.
Family & Community. My son Brock worships at Douglass Hills, along with his wife Brittany and their daughter Maddie. It goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway) that I love being able to see Brock, Brit & Maddie so often. And I love my new apartment, the community of Middletown, and the city of Louisville.
All things considered, it is a tremendous blessing for me to call the Douglass Hills congregation my “home” at this point in my life. I hope you will join me in giving thanks to our Father for making this blessing possible. In this environment, I believe it will be possible for me to do the best work I am capable of in the years that remain to me, whether they be many or few. In gratitude, I will strive to be a good steward of the resources that are available to me, which blessings can only be attributed to the grace of a merciful God.
Next month, I want to give you an overview of the work I plan to do in 2018, Lord willing. Until then, thank you for your generous support, and most of all for your prayers and encouragement.
Gary Henry – WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com
