Dear Northside
It is always good to come home! I arrived back safe and sound this week, with all my luggage – which is a little miracle! Talitha is settled into university. My time with the Whitehall and Thornapple churches was productive. Hopefully, we will see a team from Whitehall in 2026! Thank you to everyone who kept me and my family in your thoughts and prayers.
Please know that there are people in Michigan, USA, who love us and who pray for us faithfully. They are sending you their greetings. They were all greatly encouraged by our annual theme of Walking in the Spirit: activated for growth.
In a way, it was encouraging to hear that they are struggling with many of the same issues as us. It means we are not alone. We are in the same Spiritual battle as they are, against a common enemy. It was also encouraging to see God at work in them, as he is in us. Jesus promises to build His church – and He is!
I preached a message from Jonah 2 at Whitehall. How freedom comes from repentance. They have also been looking at the theme of Freedom from Captivity. Thornapple have been preaching through Exodus. The sermon I was there for was God’s command to the people to go. Moses prays, “If your presence will not go with us, do not bring us up from here.” We are all called to GO and make disciples. But we must not go alone; God must go with us, even before us. God promises to go with Moses and the people. Moses then builds the Tabernacle. And the book ends with God’s presence/glory filling the Tabernacle. And wherever the cloud and fire (God’s presence) went, they followed. What a wonderful picture!
As we walk in the Spirit and keep in step with the Spirit, God must go before and with us. And when we do this, God’s glory will fill His church here at Northside. Are you excited by this? I am!
Please pray for the churches we partner with. And pray for us, Northside. May God go before us, and may we obediently follow. May we walk in the Spirit. May God’s glory fill His church and be seen by those around us.
A lot of work has been done and continues to be done in and around the church facilities. New toilets have been built and completed. Quads regressed. The wall/fence extension has started on the south side of the property. We have much to be thankful for. But also look at all that needs to be done. Let’s not become complacent. This is God’s House. We look after our own houses and gardens, but the Lord’s House and Gardens are not looking great. What can you do to help? When people see Northside, we want them to see God’s glory!
Thank you to everyone who gave so generously in July. We were able to bring ZIMRA up to date and pay half of what we owe NSSA. But August has not been great. Let us continue to give faithfully so we can pay all our debts.
Thank you, and God bless, Pastor Gary