This week, I attended a funeral about 50 miles from Syracuse. I was going to encourage a family who are members of the church where I serve. One of our members had experienced the death of her mother, and to her children, they lost a grandma. Those are never easy times. Thankfully, the woman was a believer as are many in the family. They have an eternal hope that is steadfast and sure.
In the process of attending the funeral, I was once again challenged with the vision of Keep the Fire Burning. Phelps, NY is a town of about 1900 people. It took me back to my roots. I grew up in a town like that in another part of New York State. I drove around the town and noticed the various shops, restaurants and churches. There were three churches that I noticed. The one in which the funeral was held, has a pastor who shared the gospel. I appreciate what he had to say in that moment.
My mind however raced to the fact that though there are 1900 in that town, how many attend church any given weekend? In New York in general it is one out of three. Perhaps that is true in Phelps. If so, over 1200 do not attend church regularly. I learned that our own denomination has only two churches in that whole county - one for every 53000 people. While we are certainly not the only ones preaching the gospel, I found myself reminded of the need for more churches started, and more churches encouraged and revived.
When people think of New York they often think of New York City, Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Watertown, Binghamton, Utica, and Ithaca. I think of those places, but I must admit my mind quickly drifts to little places like Phelps. Who will take the gospel to the places both small and large? May the Lord move in all of our hearts as we answer that question.
Keep the Fire Burning,
Bruce
