What I Believe about the Branch

There are some things I know, and some things I believe, about the Branch.

First of all, here is what I know.

I know that the Branch is a church. I've been a Christian for 33 years, have been a pastor at 2 different churches and an administrator at a third. I have a Bachelor of Theology degree. So I know some things about church. When I say the Branch is a church, I'm not talking about a building, or a tradition, or a meeting. I'm talking about the Biblical definition of church - God's people gathering together to worship Him, living for God without reservation and sharing their lives together. When we first visited the Branch, it felt like home. For 2 years we drove 45 minutes one way on Sunday morning. Wanting to be more involved, we sold our home in South Charlotte and moved to the University area. We were very hungry to experience God's presence and to worship with God's people. We are still hungry for that and are very glad to be part of the Branch.

I know that the Branch is a place where I have grown closer to the Lord. At the age 12 I was the first person in my family to become a Christian. I began praying and within the year saw my parents, my brother and my sister all become believers, and a church started in our home. (Today that church is one of the largest in my hometown.) So I know some things about walking in faith. I know that being part of the Branch has helped me love the Lord more, being more genuine and real in my relationship with Him, and has helped me better understand how much He loves me.

I know that the Branch is a place where my family has grown closer to the Lord, and closer to one another. I know that the Branch is a place where my children are flourishing, and our family relationships have become a higher priority than ever before.

I know that the Branch has been a place of healing and of restoration, a place where we have seen dreams fulfilled and new dreams born. While we've been here, God has fulfilled some promises He made to me a long time ago, and He has made some new promises that I am still standing on.

Those are some of the things I know about the Branch. And now, some things I believe.

I believe the Branch is lovely in God's sight. I belive that the Lord will fulfill every promise He made to Derek and Sarah. I believe that Derek is God's chosen man for this time and place, and that Sarah is also chosen for this task, and that we all are part of something eternally significant. I believe that God will use me in this place to be a blessing to others, and that He will use us, each of us here this morning, in ways we have not yet imagined. I believe that people here are genuine, and their love is genuine, and their faith is genuine. I believe that faithful are the wounds of a friend, and that even when we all try our best we each will have the opportunity to forgive. I believe that others will forgive me when I need it, and I will forgive them when they do, and we will walk in humility and grace and love toward each other. I believe this is a safe place to share my heart and that people here can be trusted. I believe the fields are white unto harvest, which I guess is a churchy way of saying that a lot of people are open and ready to receive God's love even if they don't know it. I believe God is about to do something in the worship portion of our services that is absolutely miraculous. I believe that as our children learn who God is and who they are, they will excel in every way. I believe that the Branch is God's planting, the work of His Hands, and that He will be glorified. I believe the best is yet to come, and that He will surprise us yet with His goodness.