On Sunday we began a special new series titled “All In: Building on 100 Years of Life-Change in Jesus.” This 5-week series, anchored in our church’s rich history, is an invitation for all of us who are a part of the church today to make a renewed commitment to our mission.

Our mission statement is “Inviting people into a life-changing relationship with Jesus to make and mobilize disciples that reach our community and our world.” It’s the same mission Jesus gave His first disciples before He ascended into heaven. Our words are different, but the meaning is same.

And this making of disciples — students of Jesus and His teaching — is everyone’s job.  As each of us commits to following Jesus, God uses our lives to reach and save others.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 2:42-47

There is no greater thing to give yourself to than God’s call on your life. Yet the realization of this call requires you to give Him your whole life. Discipleship is an All-In Challenge.

This past Sunday I introduced this challenge with the launch of our centennial series. If you have not listened to the sermon, I encourage you to do so in advance of this weekend.

Over the next three weeks I will look at the key commitments central to our mission — Invite, Make, Mobilize. These commitments, supported by our spiritual habits, are ones each of us need to regularly engage. They’re not only the responsibility of every Christian believer, but they are the very means of our growth and calling being realized. They are discipleship in action.

I am excited to grow with you during this series. We have seen many return to in-person worship in recent months, and I would like to see many more of you here for the four weeks to come — not only as an encouragement to others but as an expression of your discipleship.

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is part of it.

1 Corinthians 12:27

Outside of the Sunday services there are two other key events connected to the centennial celebration and this series that will be important for you to attend. The first is a special worship and celebration night on the actual anniversary of the incorporation of the church (at the time called Brighton Community Church). The event will be in the sanctuary on Tuesday, May 17.

Then on the final Sunday of this series (May 22) we will have a time of commitment for the entire church. I am asking every person to make a commitment to one piece of our mission — to a next step of personal discipleship. We will hand out commitment cards the last two weeks of the series for this purpose. Then after the services that Sunday we will host a church-wide fellowship outside with food and fun for all! You will not want to miss it and I very much am looking forward to seeing you all then.

If you’d like to keep up with all our centennial celebration opportunities, including ways for you to share your own memories and stories from our rich history, I encourage you to check out the special “Browncroft 100” website by clicking the button below.

I could not be more excited about being your pastor at this exciting moment and moving with you into God’s next chapter in the life of our church.

Praying for you,

Pastor Rob