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HOLDING ON…In Spite of What Comes Against You!

HOLDING ON…In Spite of What Comes Against You!

HOLDING ON…In Spite of What Comes Against You!

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With the 2019 World Series in the books, the internet is ablaze with the video of the Washington Nationals fan who allowed himself to be hit in the chest by a home run ball rather than let go of the beer he was holding in each hand.  

Within hours of the event, the beer company made a commercial about the moment, t-shirts with his likeness were created and are being sold, AND he is being hailed as a hero.

Let’s be clear…I do NOT drink alcohol, nor do I condone its consumption, but I must admit, I felt a twinge of admiration for the man who’d made a split-second decision that he was willing to endure whatever pain was going to be inflicted upon him to hold on to what was important to him in that moment. 

I was immediately struck with a question that I now pose to you:

What is worth holding on to in your life, in spite of what comes against you?

The answer to that question is worth considering because we know that each day that we live is filled with a constant barrage of things being thrown at us, and we must make a decision – Do we hold on to what is in our hand, or do we let it go to embrace or shield ourselves from what is coming at us?

I contend that there are things that we MUST hold on to REGARDLESS of what is being thrown our direction. 

Here are a few from Scripture for all of us who are in church leadership, but also for all of us who are committed followers of Christ:

Titus 1:9 (NIV):

He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Hebrews 3:6 (NIV):

But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.

Hebrews 4:14 (NIV):

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

Hebrews 10:23 (NIV):

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 

The words of Jesus to the church in Sardis should consistently ring in our ears.  Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent.”  Revelation 3:3 (NIV) 

In a few days, this baseball fan’s story will be a distant memory, but I hope the importance of holding on to the things that TRULY matter in life (and eternity) will remain in the forefront of our thoughts every day! 

 

Greg

Acts 2 Journey 2019 Promo // Greg Perkins

Acts 2 Journey 2019 Promo // Greg Perkins

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St. Louis and Kansas City, are you ready for the Acts 2 Journey?! Register today at https://smdhealthy.church/acts2journey/.

#acts2journey ‪#healthychurches #healthychurch #church #churches ‬#agtrust #training

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Acts 2 Journey 2019-St. Louis
RETREAT 1: MAY 31-JUNE 1ST, 2019
RETREAT 2: SEP. 20-21, 2019
RETREAT 3: DEC. 6-7, 2019
RETREAT 4: TBD – 2020

LOCATION:

Bethel Fellowship Assembly of God

1807 Charleston Estates Dr
Florissant, Missouri 63031

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Acts 2 Journey 2019-Kansas City
RETREAT 1: AUG. 23-24, 2019
RETREAT 2: OCT. 25-26, 2019
RETREAT 3: JAN. 24-25, 2020
RETREAT 4: MARCH 20-21, 2020

LOCATION: TBD

Acts 2 Journey Interview // Pastor Sahee Duran

Acts 2 Journey Interview // Pastor Sahee Duran

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Acts 2 Journey Interview // Pastor Sahee Duran

Check out this awesome Acts 2 Journey testimony from Sahee Duran, Lead Pastor, Life360 Intercultural Campus

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If you’re a Pastor or Church leader/influencer and you are interested in attending an upcoming Acts 2 Journey Cohort in Southern Missouri, please visit https://smdhealthy.church/acts2journey/ for more info.

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ST. LOUIS COHORT

RETREAT 1: MARCH 22-23, 2019
RETREAT 2: MAY 31-JUNE 1ST, 2019
RETREAT 3: SEP. 20-21, 2019
RETREAT 4: DEC. 6-7, 2019

LOCATION:

Bethel Fellowship Assembly of God

1807 Charleston Estates Dr
Florissant, Missouri 63031

KANSAS CITY COHORT 
RETREAT 1: AUG. 23-24, 2019
RETREAT 2: OCT. 25-26, 2019
RETREAT 3: JAN. 24-25, 2020
RETREAT 4: MARCH 20-21, 2020

LOCATION: TBD

#acts2journey #agtrust #healthychurches #TransformAmerica AG Trust AG News Assemblies of God USA Southern Missouri District Council Alton Garrison

Vital Signs Highlight: Pastor JD Montgomery Part Two

Vital Signs Highlight: Pastor JD Montgomery Part Two

VITAL SIGNS HIGHLIGHT: PASTOR JD MONTGOMERY PT. 2

What is Vital Signs?

Vital Signs tells the story of Pastors who have led (or are currently leading) a church through a process of revitalization.  We place a spotlight on the challenges they faced, the victories that were achieved, and the life that has returned to their church.

We trust their stories will encourage YOU in what you’re doing for the Kingdom of God.

 

This time, we interviewed Pastor JD Montgomery from New Life AG in Barnett, Missouri. This is part two. Enjoy.

 

13. What do you wish you would have known (or someone would have told you) when you started? 

We have worked alongside many great pastors and leaders over the years, serving in all capacities from Sunday School teachers to Board Members.  Therefore, we thought we understood everything when it comes to ministry. Further, certainly the leaders had tried to prepare us, but one cannot understand the significance of the love and responsibility that comes with being a pastor leading a flock of God’s people.  All roles are important and necessary, but we had underestimated the immense pressure (sometimes self-inflicted) that we would feel.

 

14. What do you see as being the key to seeing things turn around here?    

We believe the key is trusting God and knowing that all things have a season.  Just as the seasons change from summer to autumn, autumn to winter, winter to spring, and spring to summer, the church (His people) go through the same changes/transitions.  Helping people to understand that transition, helping them the signs to look for, and being willing to close one season to experience the next is so vital to growing a church.  Also, it is important to teach people that God sometimes changes everything around us so we can experience Him in a new way.  Teaching them to recognize the signs and being willing to move through the seasons of life with grace made all the difference in the world.

 

15. What would you say is the turning point or maybe several turning points to get to where you are now?

The turning point really came early on when we recognized that we were not like any other church.  God made us unique and provided an opportunity unlike any other.  We began to see that God was pleased with the people who had been so dedicated and committed to keeping this congregation together and that He would use that foundation to continue to build “His” church.  When people in the community began to talk about the excitement and energy coming from our church, we knew God’s plan was in order.

 

 

16. When was the time you started to feel, “Hey, this is going to work?” 

We wonder if that is really a comfort that should be afforded us as pastors.  It’s only going to work if God is in it.  The success here at New Life is not dependent on Toni and I.  We are trusting that God said it would work if we remain humble and committed to him.  We know that he loves this community and wants to do great things in people’s lives.

 

17. What resource would you recommend to another pastor who may be looking at the idea of taking on a church like yours?

We would recommend that you find direction and peace in your heart from the Scriptures before taking on a work.  Years ago, a pastor gave me a book titled A Tale of Three Kings.  That book has been so instrumental in my life in helping me understand that hurt is not isolated to just outside the walls of the church building.  Hurt happens within the church, and we need to find a way to allow God to heal and minister to that hurt.  My father once told me that a man should consider counsel in all situations.  Our own counsel or pastoral leadership is a resource that we leverage often.  It’s important to find people who have been successful and glean from them what we can.  Someone that has never led a troubled church back to Christ cannot tell you how to do it.  We need people who have walked the road and won.  They have the wisdom to help you succeed.

18. What was your biggest fear as a pastor? 

We have not lived in a lot of fear.  As a young man, I was concerned that I would ever have enough to say 52 weeks out of the year.  That was fear in my life, but having a successful career in the business world taught me much about being prepared and leveraging my experience to share God’s plan.  We pray daily that God will find us faithful and diligent about His calling, but we don’t fear failure.  We fear the wrath of God that finds us slothful or lazy in our stewardship of His calling and His work.

 

19.  What is your biggest hope for your church? 

We hope that God will continue to find favor in us as a church body and that we can reach the hurting and lost people in our community.  So many children, young people, and seniors alike are hurting deeply.  They are searching for an eternal hope and peace in their lives.  We want more than anything to be a place of refuge for them.  We want to see real change and see people experience the fullness of a relationship with Jesus.

 

20. What is the one habit that has helped you as a pastor? 

Loving people.  Pastor Roger Perkin told me once that you don’t have to be a good preacher; you just have to love people.  We assumed that was because we were not really good at preaching.  We have found that God has given us the ability to be loving, and we are thankful that He taught us through His life and leadership how to be sincere and transparent with people.

 

21. Who has been your champion (encourager)? 

There are so many that it is difficult to mention them all.  We have had some of the greatest leaders and pastors in the world.  We grew up under CW Quattlebaum who loved us and adopted us into his family.  He taught me the importance of door-to-door witnessing and the urge to see people radically changed.  As teenagers, we were led by George Westlake III who provided rich and deep learning of the Scriptures and married us.  As newlyweds, we served as youth pastors under Charles Taff.  As parents of two little boys, we learned to love under the leadership of Roger Perkin and Jack Blansit.  We learned to lead and dream big under John Martz who helped to plant a vision in our hearts.  Our friendship with Curtis and Cindy Washam and Dave and Robyn Cross has been unfailing.  They have believed in us and encouraged us to take the challenge and trust God.  Matthew and Cara King, Joe and Shelly Brooks, Edwinta and Gus Naranjo, Kevin and Tiffany Hamel, Ronda Amer and Tracy, and Jeff Mehan have been amazing friends in our lives.  The list could go on and on as we are truly blessed beyond measure.

JD MONTGOMERY

JD MONTGOMERY

LEAD PASTOR, NEW LIFE AG, BARNETT, MO

Pastor JD is devoted to seeing the local church thrive and stand boldly for the cause of Christ. His heart for God and people is evident in his leadership and messages at New Life. His mission is to change the landscape of “ministry” and “church” by challenging generations to rise up and live life fully in Christ.

Before answering the call to full-time ministry, Pastor JD spent more than 30 years of his life as an executive in the Kansas City area for one of the nation’s largest financial institutions. Leading people and boldly declaring the truth have been key factors to his success. He believes God has used him in diverse areas and specifically prepared him for such a time as this at New Life.

Pastor JD has been married to his childhood sweetheart, Toni, for more than 30 years. They have two grown, successful sons — Jonathan and Jordan.

JD MONTGOMERY

JD MONTGOMERY

LEAD PASTOR, NEW LIFE AG, BARNETT, MO

Pastor JD is devoted to seeing the local church thrive and stand boldly for the cause of Christ. His heart for God and people is evident in his leadership and messages at New Life. His mission is to change the landscape of “ministry” and “church” by challenging generations to rise up and live life fully in Christ.

Before answering the call to full-time ministry, Pastor JD spent more than 30 years of his life as an executive in the Kansas City area for one of the nation’s largest financial institutions. Leading people and boldly declaring the truth have been key factors to his success. He believes God has used him in diverse areas and specifically prepared him for such a time as this at New Life.

Pastor JD has been married to his childhood sweetheart, Toni, for more than 30 years. They have two grown, successful sons — Jonathan and Jordan.

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