I don't celebrate this as often as it happens, but we had
another Sunday where, we had the privilege of witnessing God's amazing grace as
one of our friends placed their trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. In a world
that often feels dark and discouraging, moments like these remind us that our
God is still drawing people to himself through the power of the Gospel.
Your work, prayer, and support matters. I want to especially
thank our faithful prayer team who has been interceding week after week, often
without seeing immediate fruit. Your prayers matter more than you know. You've
been preparing the spiritual ground, asking God to open hearts and remove obstacles
to faith. A new believer is a testimony to your faithful partnership with the
Lord in his redemptive work.
Jesus promised in John 12:32 that when he is lifted up, he
will draw all people to himself. Our role is to exalt Christ through our
worship, our preaching, our community life, and our love for one another. God's
role is to do what only he can do - open blind eyes and give new life.
Would you join me in praying that as we faithfully lift up
our Savior, God would continue to draw seeking hearts to himself? Here are
three specific ways to pray for God to change hearts:
Pray for spiritual sight. Ask God to open the eyes of
those who are spiritually blind, that they might see the beauty and truth of
Christ. Pray that the lies and deceptions that keep people from faith would be
exposed and broken.
Pray for convicted hearts. Ask the Holy Spirit to
convict people of their need for salvation - not in a condemning way, but in a
way that leads them to see Jesus as their hope and rescue.
Pray for courage to respond. Many people sense God's
call but struggle with fear or pride. Pray that God would give seeking hearts
the courage to take that step of faith and surrender to Christ.
Pray for divine appointments in your neighborhoods and
workplaces. (I talked to another new church attender who started coming to
BBCC because his neighbor was walking around with a Christian t-shirt and he
started asking questions – that matters.) Pray for receptive hearts among those who are
spiritually curious. And pray that our church would be a place where the beauty
of Christ is clearly seen.
God is faithful and kind – thanks for being a part of His
work at BBCC,
--Pastor Sam
We had the joy this past Sunday to gather around our high school graduates and lift them up in prayer! It was a beautiful picture of the body of Christ surrounding them with love, encouragement, and intercession.
The apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to "pray without ceasing," and I want to encourage us to continue praying for our graduates throughout this pivotal season. Here are some specific ways we can intercede for them:
For Their Faith Journey
- Pray that they would grow deeper roots in Christ during this time of transition (Colossians 2:6-7)
- Ask God to surround them with godly community wherever He leads them
- Pray for protection from the enemy's schemes and for spiritual discernment (Ephesians 6:10-18)
For Wisdom and Direction
- Pray for clarity as they make decisions about college, career paths, and next steps
- Ask the Lord to give them hearts that seek His will above their own (Proverbs 3:5-6)
- Pray for godly mentors and advisors to come alongside them
For Their Character
- Pray that they would be marked by integrity, humility, and servant-heartedness
- Ask God to help them flee from temptation and pursue righteousness (2 Timothy 2:22)
- Pray for courage to stand firm in their faith when faced with opposing worldviews
For Their Influence
- Pray that they would be salt and light wherever God places them (Matthew 5:13-16)
- Ask God to use them to advance His kingdom among their generation
- Pray for boldness to share the gospel and live as witnesses for Christ
For Their Hearts
- Pray for protection from anxiety about the future, trusting in God's sovereignty
- Ask the Lord to guard them from the comparison trap and social media pressures
- Pray that their identity would remain rooted in Christ, not in achievements or relationships
As Tim Keller often reminded us, the gospel speaks to every area of life. Let's pray that these graduates would see how the good news of Jesus transforms not just their spiritual life, but their academics, relationships, work, and every decision they face.
Church family, what a privilege it is to be part of these young lives! Let's be faithful to carry them to the throne of grace, trusting that the One who began a good work in them will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6).
With gratitude for each of you and excitement for what God will do in and through our graduates,
--Pastor Sam
P.S. Parents of graduates - we're praying for you too! This transition brings its own joys and challenges. May the Lord give you wisdom, peace, and continued opportunities to speak truth and grace into your children's lives.
This past Sunday, we gathered to pray for our new Kids Church Director, Kelli Jo Wusterhausen. What a powerful moment as we surrounded her and asked for God's wisdom, strength, and vision as she steps into this vital role!
As Kelli Jo begins leading our volunteer team and developing a program that nurtures our children's spiritual growth, we have an opportunity to participate in something truly eternal. Each Sunday morning, as families drop their children off at Kids Church, they're entrusting us with something precious—the spiritual formation of the next generation.
The reality is that what happens in those classrooms isn't just childcare or religious education—it's discipleship. It's introducing young hearts to the God who created them, loves them, and has a purpose for their lives.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 instructs parents: "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
Our Kids Church ministry partners with parents in this sacred responsibility.
I ask you to continue praying specifically for:
- Kelli Jo's wisdom and vision as she leads
- Our volunteer team's energy and patience
- The children's growing understanding of God's love
- Parents seeking to disciple their children at home
- Resources and creativity for this ministry
In a culture that often marginalizes faith, our investment in children's spiritual development is countercultural and revolutionary. When we pray for and support this ministry, we're declaring that the next generation matters profoundly to God and to us.
"From generation to generation, we will proclaim your praise; we will tell of your mighty acts." (Psalm 79:13)
May we be a church where children encounter Jesus, where families are equipped and encouraged, and where the torch of faith burns brightly as it's passed to the next generation.
In Christ,
Pastor Sam
P.S. If you feel called to join our Kids Church volunteer team and participate directly in this ministry, please reach out to Kelli Jo (or hit reply). Your gift of time could make an eternal difference in a child's life.
