Yes We Can! The Smaller Church and Its Impact

This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem:5 “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce.6 Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away!7 And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”
Jeremiah 29:4-7 (NLT)

When I think about reaching Valparaiso for Christ - and that is why I do what I do, I operate out of the same mindset Jeremiah was trying to get the exiled Jews to grasp in those verses. We have been placed in Valparaiso Florida by God for His purposes. Looking back over the almost 15 years history of New Hope Baptist, we began in Niceville and easily could still be located there. But events transpired that placed us here in Valparaiso. Not all of our members live here, but it is the epicenter of our ministry and we embrace that passionately. We love Valparaiso Florida.

Too many times churches operate within the geographic confines of a locality, but stand aloof from anything that doesn't touch directly on spiritual matters. Things like how the schools, the businesses, and even the government are doing aren't seen as matters of interest for the church at large, though they may be for parents who have children in the schools, or people who have interests in the businesses.

I'll put aside the desire to remind that everything is ultimately spiritual and just point out that whatever affects the lives of those we hope to influence for Christ should matter to the church. In Jeremiah's case, he's asking people who were brought to a city at the point of a spear to turn around and bless that city because "its welfare will determine your welfare."

Yes it will.

So we, as salt and light shouldn't hide in our buildings but go out into the neighborhoods, into the schools, into the businesses and the lives of those God has placed within reach.

And we are. Through engaging at Valparaiso Elementary. Through working with the City, with Valparaiso Communications, with the Heritage Museum and with other churches, we are working to bless the people and the community that God has placed us in. We need to do more. We will do more.