by Pastor John Kim

As I write this article, I am sitting at a Barnes and Noble as our family has a little time together before we go to the Student for Christ Winter Conference where I will be speaking for the college and singles of a number of various churches that gather each year for this event. I was privileged to speak last year for the first time and was invited to return again this winter to speak on the theme of the cross-centered life. Angela was also asked this time to speak to the women about the role of women in the home and church and so it is a great blessing for us to have this opportunity.

But more than just another speaking engagement, this conference reminds me that there are many out there who are yearning to receive Biblical instruction and encouragement and God is gracious to use those of us who are not really the headline speakers to do the simple yet important work of preaching God’s Word and building relationships with those who our outside the comfort of our own congregation. I believe that the priority of the local church is to really build up the church congregation so that the church would make an impact in the world, both locally as well as abroad. This is not a perfect process nor are we always able to avoid the difficulties and challenges that come with the process. Yet I am confident that God continues to provide all that we need so that we might grow together as a church family here in San Diego.

This upcoming year is also the year in which we extend the MVP of LBC and trust that God will propel us forward in the planting of a church in San Jose. I am filled with some measure of a bittersweet feeling as it will be sad to leave beyond the ministry in San Diego with all the relationships and ministries that our family has invested in since the beginning. Yet we are also excited for the opportunity to act upon the MVP of the church by extending the Great Commission to San Jose to make disciples of Christ by planting a church in a place where there is a great need for more Bible churches that are gospel-centered. We hope to continue to live passionately in our love for God and people as we build relationship and reach out to the lost as well as to provide fellowship and encouragement for believers who desire to really grow. Just being here in San Jose as I write these words gives me great hope that God will allow us to start up this summer as we prepare to move.

As we had an informal LBC dinner gathering last night in Daly City, I was also reminded of how important it will be to continue growing in San Diego. There were a number of members who shared that they are kind of sad that there are a number who are leaving just as they are getting to know them. Yet they were also anticipating how others will step up and fill in the gap for those who leave and this is something that I am excited for as well. The church in San Diego must provide a strong launching pad for the San Jose church plant to take off and the spiritual health of the home church will in many ways impact and affect the church plant as it moves forward. So with this in mind, I would like to ask everyone to consider a few things as we look forward to the transitions that will come in 2010:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1. Rejoice always in what God is doing. As we are confident that God is sovereign and that He is working all things out for good, we can always find reasons to rejoice, both in the continued affirmation of God’s character as well as in His faithfulness to accomplish His good purposes.
2. Pray without ceasing. It goes without saying that we need to be praying. But let’s be specific in our prayers, both for the San Diego ministry as well as the San Jose church plant. Pray that people would truly live out their faith and trust God with the future. Pray that we will trust God with His provision for all that is needed. Pray that we as a church family would seek to be united in spirit and intent on one purpose. Pray that we would discern the spiritual attacks that will come and be ready with the armor of God. Pray that we would keep focused on living out the MVP and that we would all be teachable and humble as we press on.
3. Gives thanks in all things. When we find ourselves thankful, it usually means our eyes are off ourselves and fixed on Christ. A complaining heart usually reveals a selfishness and a desire for self-fulfillment at the expense of God and others. So before you are quick to raise a complaint or criticism, take a moment to see if you could give thanks specifically for at least five things that would truly be God-honoring. I think for myself it is usually a good indicator of how I am doing spiritually when I assess my “thanksgiving gauge” and if I am more of a complainer or giver of thanks.

We have much to be thankful for as we look back on almost eleven years of our church’s existence. But instead of dwelling on the past, let us strain forward, forgetting what lies behind and pressing on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14).

Looking forward to 2010!!