The Best Part
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This past weekend, Pam and I were in Sparks, Nevada for the inauguration of Summit’s new 1,300 seat Worship Center and a retirement celebration for my 23 years serving as the church’s Founding Pastor. In 2000, one year after we planted the church, we purchased Summit’s 36½ acre site. From the beginning, the Master Plan for the campus envisioned a Worship Center seating more than one-thousand people. It was wonderful to see the new facility finally reach completion after dreaming about it for over 20 years. The new Worship Center will be an invaluable ministry tool for decades to come!
However, for me, the highlight being at Summit went beyond seeing a beautiful new building that still had the “new carpet” smell. The best part was hearing scores of stories about how Pam and I had impacted individuals for the cause of Christ. People approached us all weekend sharing deeply personal experiences. Words of comfort we had shared. Messages we had given. Prayers we had offered. Our presence at a hospital during a crisis.
I’m not certain how it came about, but throughout my ministry I have enjoyed building. We built numerous buildings when we lived in Chile as missionaries. And since returning to the USA, we’ve helped to fund several more buildings. In fact, next week I travel to Chile to take part in the dedication of yet another new church. After we moved to Wisconsin, we led the charge to purchase 40 acres for the church to relocate. And we led through three major building programs at Summit. I really do love building!
But, over the years, I have come to love even more the people who worship and minister inside those buildings. At this point, some of the buildings in Chile that we so proudly dedicated 35+ years ago have become weathered and worn. The sparkle has rubbed off the fresh paint when the buildings were new. But the people inside those facilities still shine for Jesus. And that is the best part!
Yes, I still believe that buildings are an invaluable tool for ministry. The truth is, I fully expect that the church I now serve in Costa Rica will one day have a capital campaign to build a permanent facility. But the best part is never the fresh paint and new carpet. The best part is always the people who are touched by God’s grace and changed for eternity.
Two brief announcements:
· I’m organizing a trek to climb Costa Rica’s tallest peak, Mount Chirripó. It is 12,536 feet in elevation and an average person takes three days to go up and back. I’m planning the trip for July 19-21. If you are interested, please let me know.
· Also, Pam and I are leading another exciting trip to Israel, November 1-10. It is an experience of a lifetime to actually walk where Jesus walked. We’d love to share this spiritually encouraging journey with you. If you are interested, please send me an email at sbond@summitnv.org.
Warmly,
Steve and Pam
