This last week I retuned home to Tacoma after being gone for six weeks on three different continents. Marlene arrived home a week before me.
I have been reading through the book of Acts and a couple of days ago I was reflecting on that first missionary journey made by Paul and Barnabas. (Acts 13-14). They were sent out from the church they were connected to at Antioch. This first journey probably lasted about two years, but when they returned they immediately reconnected with the church in Antioch and reported to the church all the many things that happened while they were away. Chapter 14 ends with this phrase, “They stayed there a long time with the disciples.” I’m sure it took quite a while just to recount what all had happened during their two years away. Those experiences were to become a part of the corporate experience of that base church there in Antioch.
As I reflected on this story and then upon our own experience over these past few weeks I found myself giving thanks for New Community Church here in Tacoma that we are very much a part of. It was with real joy that we were reunited with the church last Sunday. Though the church is in its infancy there was a true sense of ‘family’ in the gathering. As I looked around the room I saw some faces I had never seen before. The family continues to grow, which is a sign of good health.
I can honestly say that I am just as excited about being here participating in seeing this church move forward in the mission we are on together as I am excited about the progress we are seeing in the initiatives the Lord has allowed us to be a part of in other nations. This is not two different stories, it is one big story.
