Far Reaching Impact for Jesus Christ

Over the past few installments of the Pastor’s Pen, we’ve been exploring the Church Vision of being Disciples with Dimension, what it means, how it manifests itself, and the impact it will have on individual disciples and the congregation. We’ve talked about Going Higher in Worship, Going Deeper in Study, and Going Wider in Fellowship, all of which lead to the fourth aspect of the vision, Far Reaching Impact for Jesus Christ.

In thinking about what it means to have a far reaching impact for Jesus Christ, I return to the words of Nannie Helen Burroughs, “No church should be allowed to stay in a community that does not positively improve community life.”

First Baptist, why are we here? Why has God allowed our church to remain in this community for over 130 years? I know that we can look in the annals of church history and point to ministries and movements that have made a difference here in Englewood, yet I wonder, what impact are we having on our community now? In what ways are we improving community life? What does our community need and how has God uniquely equipped us to meet those needs?

A focus on community may seem small, however, I believe that ministering to the community is the first step in having a far reaching Impact for Christ; When we faithfully engage with and impact the community as a church, it ripples out to Bergen County, the State of New Jersey, the nation, and the world.

Growing in Christ,

Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah