Valuable Values

In his book The Body, Charles Colson wrote… “At one time, Francis Schaeffer says, he shared a platform with former cabinet member and urban leader John Gardner, during which Gardner spoke on the need to restore values to our culture. After he finished, a Harvard student asked him: "On what do you build your values?" Gardner, usually articulate and erudite, paused, looked down, and said, "I do not know."  I repeatedly encounter the same reaction. When I have contended before scholars and college audiences that in a secular, relativistic society there is no basis for ethics, no one has ever challenged me. In fact, in private they often agree.”

The answer to where our values come from is the transcendent truth of God’s Word. At Ridgecrest we have a mission statement based on 3 key letters—RBC. Reach the Lost, Build up the believers, and Connect God’s people to their purpose. But behind that mission statement are the core Biblical values that shape our tasks and purpose. Let me remind you of what they are:

1. Worship… We have been designed to worship our creator, and in doing so we find connection and direction with His purposes for our lives.

2. Stewardship… We recognize that we are stewards of the gifts, talents, and treasures that belong to Him and that have been entrusted to us here on earth.

3. Fellowship… We are created to know our creator and to walk in relationship with Him and with other believers. In this we find encouragement and comradery in the work of God’s Kingdom.

4. Discipleship… We are to reach the lost and build them up in the Faith so that they may know God deeply and serve Him faithfully.

Part of our discipleship outreach is the great commission… “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19, ESV) This is not only our commission, but also God’s command to us. With that in mind we have set aside this Sunday as a special service to remind you of the many mission partners we work with locally, nationally, and internationally. Sunday is also the launch for our annual “Reach the World” offering emphasis that will continue until the end of the year.

You’ll be blessed as you hear live and video testimonies of what our partners are doing to reach the world and build believers, and by extension, through your going and financial giving, Ridgecrest is an active and substantial part.

By now you should have received a letter from me, and a special “Reach the World” envelope in which you can help us achieve this year’s goal of $150,000, all of which will be distributed to our partners. This is our largest goal ever, and already we are well on our way toward reaching it and, I pray exceeding it.

I want to invite you to join me and Alison with a special gift above and beyond your regular tithes, building (freedom fund) gifts, and offerings to continue the mission of God to the world through Ridgecrest. Thanks in advance, and remember, God is always trying to take us someplace new. I love being your Pastor.

For God’s Glory Alone,
Pastor Ray

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