Hello, Mount Olive! I know that we’ve met before and we’re slightly acquainted, but let me take the opportunity to share with you a bit about myself. I’m your new pastor, and I’m thrilled to be pastor at Mount Olive and to lead this chapter of mission and ministry in this place. As a pastor, I’ve served in a bunch of locations; Iowa, Oregon, Texas, and Ohio. The churches I’ve served have been large and small, historic and brand new, with schools, and preschools, and one without a school. In all those different parishes, as well as here at Mount Olive, it has always been about Jesus.

Jesus calls us and invites us to something special … to follow Him. Jesus’ words “Follow me” are a call to an adventure. Those who have walked with Jesus for a season or two know that being one of His disciples isn’t always easy. In fact, it’s actually rather difficult … difficult if we trust more in ourselves. The call to discipleship is the call to trust in the Lord for all things, and that means that God is in control of every aspects of our lives.

Keep in mind that Jesus has specifically chosen you to live this life as a disciple. In John 15 our Lord says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” (John 15:16) Jesus chose you! And He chose you to bear fruit for the Gospel. This happens when we hear God’s Word and we act upon it. God’s Word comforts us and assures of His promises, but it also calls us to action. We are called by Jesus to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations …” (Matthew 28:18) We are called by our Lord to tell everyone we know about Jesus and the hope we have in Him. That’s an incredible calling and Jesus chose you to do just that.

 What Jesus has called us to do can also be rather intimidating. Many of us don’t feel worthy to speak of the Good News of Jesus, but remember, Jesus chose you. He chose you to be a member of His family. He chose you to bear witness to His name. He chose you to tell your story of faith in Christ. And telling your story isn’t intimidating at all because you know it better than anyone else.

So, tell your story of faith; the difference Jesus has made in your life; the times you’ve known that the Lord is with you; how Jesus helped you through a troubling time and how He helped you through a joyous season. This is your story; the story of faith Jesus chose you to tell. And people will hear it and the Holy Spirit will work through your witness.

We are in mission and ministry together at Mount Olive. Each one of us is someone Jesus chose to be His own, chose to follow Him, chose to bear witness to His name with a story of faith to share and tell. We have a sending God and we are a telling people. As we being this new chapter of mission and ministry together we do so following Jesus … together.

In His Service,

Pastor Paul Frerichs

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