1/17/26 Story

The other morning at breakfast, Abraham came running up to me and said with great excitement, “I want to be a pastor outer! I want to be a pastor outer!” I asked him, “You want to be a pastor?” Again he replied, “I want to be a pastor outer!”

After a bit of translation help from Kessa, I learned what he meant. During our road trip to get to Spinning Road, Abraham had been drawing pictures, and he wanted to pass them out to people at church. He couldn’t wait to see who would choose which picture. 

It struck me how naturally this came to him. No one told him to do it. He simply wanted to participate. He wanted to be part of what was happening. In his own way, he wanted to contribute joy to the body of Christ.

Often we underestimate the power of participating, handing something out, setting something up, showing up faithfully, offering what we have. But the church is built on exactly these kinds of gifts. The kingdom of God moves forward through quiet faithfulness and willing hearts.

When we gather as a church, every act matters. Paul writes, “God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.” (1 Corinthians 12:18) Every unseen act of service helps tell the story of God’s love. When even one of those pieces is missing, it is not the same.

If you ever wonder whether what you bring is enough, remember Abraham and his pictures. God delights in willing hands and open hearts. And when the kingdom “passes out” grace, joy, and hope to the world, He is pleased to use even the smallest offerings to do it.

With love and gratitude for each of you,

Pastor Elliott Rinehart.