Here’s a snap shot of hundreds of GCC Pastors and Wives belting our praise and prayer to Jesus during this week’s annual Senior Pastor and Wife Retreat. The Great Commission Collective is our church network.
Paul wrote to Timothy, “I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy” (2 Timothy 1:4). Vanessa and I were filled with joy this week as we reconnected face-to-face with friends who are leading great GCC churches all over North America and the world. I even got to attempt my very bad Scottish accent with the Pastor of Harvest Glasgow, Scott Hamilton, as he attempted his even worse =) southern accent with me!
Something new happened this year. We didn’t go alone! Douglas and Shiela Humphrey who are planting another GCC church in Raleigh, Bridge Fellowship Church, were with us. It was a blast watching them benefit from this fellowship and see others in the Collective get fired-up about what God is doing in Southeast Raleigh.
Our sessions were focused around the GCC aim of healthy pastors, strong churches and multiplying ministry. A line from Doug Helmer’s message on pastoral health stuck out to me: healthy pastors must abide in Jesus and not activity. I need to hear this every day. The power for all ministry comes from abiding in Jesus.
We’re grateful to be a part of this Collective. It is so meaningful to Vanessa and me. God’s works of grace during retreats like this flow directly into Jesus’ church here. Like Ecclesiastes 4 reminds us, we’re better together.
GCC, you are loved!
