by Justin Thomas
We have been feeling called to plant a church on Capitol Hill. Over the next few posts, we would like to share the vision with you that God has given us. The core of this vision comes from 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10–
For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
A church that turned from idols
Our greatest desire for the church on Capitol Hill, plain and simple, is to see those who worship idols come to know Jesus Christ. It is not our goal merely to provide “another flavor” of church so that current Christians can have “it their way”. We are also not seeking to convert the converted. I heard about a guy desiring to plant a church in Oregon who emailed a pastor with a successful church there looking for a suggestion of where to plant. After receiving the suggestions, the man replied, “I don’t want to go where there are too many homosexuals or liberals. I just want to find a town with a bunch of poorly taught Christians, take and feed them.” How far that is from Jesus’ heart, who said he did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. We don’t desire to reform the Reformed or to preach to the Pentecostals. If our main goal was either to carve out our own Christian niche market or convert the converted, we could pick somewhere to plant a church with many more Christians (not to mention more parking and for a lot less rent).
Instead, we are seeking to save the lost, which we confess, this is a much harder goal. In Thessalonica it only happened one way, and it is the same way it must happen on Capitol Hill. “ For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake” – 1 Thessalonians 1:5. Unless God’s word goes out in power, unless the Holy Spirit moves; those who are slaves to sin will be slaves still, and those worshiping false idols shall worship them still. The glorious truth is that God is in the business of calling people out of darkness and into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9) Please pray for us, or better yet, join us on Tuesday evenings and pray with us.
To be continued…
Read Part 2 here
