A Word from Ray — July

Last weekend, we were reminded that we live in a fallen world.  We live in a fallen country and that we are all fallen men and women. Last weekend there were shots fired and casualties taken as an attempted assassination of former President Trump. Our response is not speaking of political alignments. I am not speaking of platform agendas. I am speaking of Godly intentions and outcomes. It is our charge as the Christian church to labor intentionally for the King. To cry out to Jesus on behalf of all others. It is our call as citizens of this great nation to defend life, liberty, and the pursuit of Justice. One of the greatest injustices that we face as a nation is not the threat of violence or the actions of a few, rather it is the muteness of the Church, withholding her cry for God’s justice in this land.

We are not moved by who you vote for or what yard sign you have out…May we be moved by our labor of love in obedience to the will and way of God.

The Fellowship is an expression of this exact labor of love. Pastors and church leaders as well as our churches find connections literally across the nation, not necessarily aligned politically, not necessarily aligned by the deep convictions for the similar needs of our communities, rather tied together by the historically evangelical reading of scripture. Tied to the reformed faith, deeply defined by the Word of God and the call in our Holy Scriptures to be people of action, united in love, to bring about the presence of the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth.

I can share first-hand what a blessing the Fellowship is in this way. Just a few days ago, a Fellowship Pastor, friend, and mentor from the sunny state of California traveled across the nation and spent the evening making a personal investment in my family, our church, our city, and our pursuit of God. You may wonder why someone would do such a thing…well, it helps that their first grandchild was born just a few hours from me, but aside from that, it is the true power of the community we call the Fellowship. If you are reading this and finding yourself unseen, unheard, and alone…first El Roi…He is the God who sees you…second, The Fellowship, may we each be messengers sent by El Roi, also seeing our fellow co-laborers.

Pastor Ray Garcia

Ray Garcia is pastor of Roxborough Church in Philadelphia, PA and serves as The Fellowship Community’s Coordinator for Connections and Recruitment.