1 Corinthians 4:15-17: Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me. For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.
The Apostle Paul was saying that even if they had countless teachers and caretakers, he would always be their one only spiritual Father. Paul obviously had a deep conviction about everyone in the church being in agreement of the teachings of Christ. He had the conviction that the agreement should be everywhere – in every church.There was an expectation of complete unity, not autonomous churches. This subject is also referenced in Ephesians 4:3 and John 17:21-23.
Some from our former fellowship may ask,” Why do we need a unified worldwide movement?” Some have asked, “What is wrong with having an autonomous church?” One of Webster’s Dictionary definitions of autonomy was especially convicting. It says, “Autonomy is self governing your part of the whole.” There is a whole, as in, a WHOLE WORLD that needs to be evangelized! If each part is separate in their plan, their thinking, their conviction, having their own little Kingdom, there will not be a unified plan for the world to be evangelized in this generation! Throughout God’s Word, when His people were unified there was a strong central leadership and Godly central leader. (Examples: Moses, Joshua, David and of course Jesus and the Apostles) 1 Corinthians 4:15-17 and Titus 1:5 teach us that local congregations had an overseeing evangelist who unified the disciples “everywhere in every church.” In the first century, congregations were a collective movement – not autonomous, not self-governing. We, as a church in a worldwide movement, are grateful for the encouragement and direction we receive from the McKean’s, the Broom’s, the Untalan’s, the Adam’s and so many others. The Orlando ICC has an intense heart to imitate and has thrived off of the visits of the Untalans and the Brooms. We are constantly in prayer for the churches around the world and thank God for their partnership in the Gospel. We are reminded of Philippians 1:3-6: I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
God continues to work powerfully through the disciples in Orlando. Recently God richly blessed our Missions Contribution. With a goal of $10,000, God has bless us with $19,000! June Fisher was restored to Christ at our Sunday Service a few weeks ago. Many tears were shed seeing her restored after 19 years away from the Kingdom. After being discipled by Lisa Robillard for a year over the phone, June took a leap of faith to move here from Georgia and has radically repented of her sins. The fruit of her repentance is obvious to all as she has already bore fruit at UCF. Not only was Joseph Kaile baptized, but she also has a half a dozen friends studying the Bible to become Christians.
Another great victory at UCF was the baptism of Timothy Snead. Anthony met Timothy, a Bio Technology major at UCF, who studied the Bible in a week and was baptized. He is already assisting our UCF campus leader, Corey Jones, in leading Bible Talks on Campus.
One of the most moving events in the church was the recent restoration of Betty Mesarina. After hearing about OICC, it excited Betty to hear that the Kingdom was alive and growing here in Orlando and around the world. She came out to church to see for herself and repented of losing her first love. Betty renewed her purpose in life: to love God first and to make disciples of all nations! She shared with overflowing joy as she was restored to Christ. God has great plans for Betty and her family.
Recently the Orlando ICC had a leadership retreat at the beach where we prayed, had several inspiring lessons and made plans for 2010. As David gave Solomon the charge to build God’s temple, we committed to serving God with a wholehearted devotion and a willing mind: 1 Chronicles 28:9. As David gave Solomon the charge to be strong and do the work, we also made a plan and talked about how to work the plan to divide and conquer Orlando for God! We are super excited to begin our Latin Ministry and expand our campus ministry as we plan to add a campus intern in 2010! God continues to expand our campus ministry at UCF, now having two Bible Talks there and Valencia will be next!!! We are also excited to announce our first West Orlando Bible Talk, as well as the beginning of our Single Professionals Ministry! We are also excited about our Arts/Entertainment/Sports Ministry, which is especially close to the Eckels’ hearts since they were a part of the original Arts Ministry in New York City. We have also recognized the need to help the disciples with parenting and inspiring our children, so we have started a monthly Children’s Devotional and Parenting Ministry. John Goss and Paula Harpole’s first Single Professional’s Event was a huge success, as well as the church’s first Children’s Devotional!!! We already have friends studying the Bible as a result of these events! The West Side Bible Talk will begin in January, being co-led by John Goss and the Chacon’s! The Chacon’s will also oversee our Latin Ministry! The talented Steve and Melanie Coyle, our Arts/Entertainment/Sports Ministry Leaders, have begun rehearsals for our new music ministry!
“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12
To God be the Glory!
The Eckels
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