July 19th, 2023

Hey Church Family!

What is your why?  It's a weird question, but a good question with which to wrestle.  Why are you the way you are?  Why do you do the things you do?  Why do you to the places to which you go?  What is your why?  How you answer that question really matters.

It even matters as a church.  What is the church's why?  Why does the church do what it does?  Why does the church say what it says?

Let me remind you:  Our why is all because of Jesus.  In Acts, the early church was crystal clear about their why.  They were quick to recognize everything they saw was a movement of God—it wasn't about them.  It was all because of Jesus.  Jesus healed.  Jesus saved.  Jesus transformed.  Jesus rose from the dead.  It was ALL because of Jesus!

Our reason for gathering, for being sent out as a church—our reason for the work we do and the mission we are a part of is all because of Jesus.  Just to name a few of the reasons it's all about Jesus, we:

• Have the hope of heaven
• See marriages transformed
• Notice the power of addictions broken
• Experience abundant life
• Recognize value in others
• Enjoy peace in difficult circumstances
• Can be free from all kinds of sin
• Can be forgiven and restored

You see, Jesus can change and transform everything!  He changes our lives, our eternities, our outlooks on life.  And once you've been changed by Christ—once you move from being blind, to being able to see; from being lame, to being able to walk; from lost, to being found; from death, to life—you can't remain quiet.

Our mission is to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.  In other words, we want more and more people to know about this man named Jesus—until the whole world hears!  Our work starts right here in Topeka, but it extends to every continent on the planet.

This past week I challenged each of us to do three things over this coming year:

1. Introduce someone to the real Jesus.  In other words, tell someone about the Jesus who changed your life.  How has Jesus made a real difference in your real life?  Then talk about it!  If he hasn't made a real difference, then friend, I'm afraid you haven't met the real Jesus.
   
   
2. Start 10 new small groups.  We believe small groups are necessary to grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ.  In fact, if you're not part of a small group, chances are you're not growing.  We want everyone at The Woods to be part of a group of people who know you, pray for you, and journey with you in life and faith.  This also means that we need people who are willing to step out and lead a small group.  In a few weeks, we'll provide an opportunity for you to sign up to join a small group, or to lead a small group.
   
   
3. Everyone serve on a ministry team.  Serving on a ministry team offers a place for you to give back to the Kingdom of God.  Each of us has gifts and talents given to us by the Holy Spirit.  We are to steward those gifts in ways that build up the church.  When everyone serves, the church just gets better.  If you're not serving on a ministry team, what are you doing that is meaningful in God's Kingdom?

It's all because of Jesus.  We're committing ourselves to introducing people to the real Jesus.  I'm excited and I hope you will join us in this journey.
Together in Christ,
​Pastor Michael