DECEASED?

While meeting with Superintendents from the Southwest Region in Sedona, AZ in late September, I played a round of golf with three other Superintendents.  Thankfully, some of our gatherings include recreation.  The starter at this beautiful golf course is a member of the AG church there and had arranged for our round of golf.  His name was Rolf and when I introduced myself to him on the first tee he said “there was a Don Steiger in Colorado Springs, CO”.  I said, “that would be me”.  I then looked at his name tag and we realized simultaneously I had been his pastor at Radiant Church in Colorado Springs.  It was a poignant moment as we gave each other a bear hug and caught up on personal events of the last few years.  He then said, “I thought you were deceased”.

Though his comment caught me off guard, I assured him that report had been exaggerated.  As we started the round of golf, I could not help but think of the meaning of being considered deceased.  What kind of influence did I have on Rolf and his family, had I lived my life pleasing to God, had I obeyed His plan to serve Him, did people who knew me get a glimpse of the Savior, are there people who will be in heaven because I spent a few years on this earth, did I care for and influence my wife, and children as I should have,…?  It brought what is most important clearly into focus.

You have heard it said, “there are two things that are certain in life; taxes and death”.  Though I do not think we should obsess on death, it is healthy to live with an eye on eternity.  The desire to hear our Lord say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” helps shape dally decisions.  Earnestly seeking to leave a legacy of respect and righteous influence for our children will keep us focused on godly living.  The realization we will be eternally rewarded for our faithful service to the Lord helps us stay the course in God’s will.

We are writing history every day and looking back can help clarify how to go forward.  I am not suggesting we live in the past.  Doing so will hold us back.  Resting on our laurels or living in regret will paralyze us going forward.  Learn from your past, thank God for the good things, and accept His forgiveness for your sins and failures.  Then focus on today and the days ahead intent on the wise plan of God.  “…I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12b-14).

ELECTION:

The election is over and I am disappointed in the outcome.  Two states legalizing recreational marijuana, two states legalizing gay marriage by popular vote, a President elect who endorses abortion on demand, gay marriage, widening separation from Israel, encroachment on the freedom of the church, massive federal deficits and debt…  BUT, God is still God and our hope is in Him.  Furthermore, the church remains His agent in this world to bring the life-giving message of the gospel and the wisdom of His word to bear on hurting humanity.  May we trust God, earnestly seek Him, live in His truth, love all people, do His work, and pray for a transforming spiritual renewal in our nation.

While we are at it, let’s pray for our leaders “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). 

I am not quick to assign natural disasters and human events to the judgment of God.  Though His providence is always at work it often requires hindsight for us to understand what He is doing in the affairs of humanity.  Time will tell whether our political leadership and the growing secularism in our society will be an instrument of God to bring our nation rapidly to its knees, or if there will be a prolonged season of overall perceived well-being while the “frog in the kettle” (our population) slowly adjusts to the slow death-inducing rise in the temperature of evil.

In any event let’s pray that God will sweep over our nation drawing vast numbers to Him and in the process transform the spiritual, moral, and economic climate.  Whatever happens around us may we faithfully walk with God and live in the hope He provides.  You are the light of the world and the darker the night the brighter the light.  The joy of the Lord is our strength!

RECENT CONNECTIONS:

Pastor Bob and Michaelene Wilson and Plateau Valley Assembly of God, Colbran, CO were recently included in a “Hunger in America” documentary for their significant work providing food for needy people in the Colbran area.  Bob was also asked to serve as a panelist at a gathering of Foundations that seek to address this need in southwestern states.  God bless you Bob and Plateau AG for providing this compassion ministry in your community.

I had lunch with our lead pastors in the Northeast Section, Saturday, October 20^th in Sterling, CO.  We have fine leaders in this section and I thank God for each one.  God bless these men and their wives as they minister to people in northeastern CO.

On Sunday, October 21^st it was my privilege to minister at Bethel Assembly of God in Burlington, CO for Pastor Joe and Sherilyn Berry.  Also, Loretta spoke at a women’s gathering at the church Saturday evening.  Farmers were harvesting corn at the time so some of the congregation was engaged in that essential work.  Still there was good attendance and the health of the church was evident.  God bless you, Joe and Sherilyn as you lead this church and serve as Presbyter for the NE section.

Lee Terry, our DYD conducted one day regional Youth Conventions Friday, October 19^th at Dakota Ridge Assembly in Littleton, CO, and Sunday evening, October 21^st at Life Church in Salt Lake City, UT.  Participation was excellent with 205 in attendance in eastern CO and 185 in UT. 

On Sunday, October 28^th Olathe AG in Olathe, CO honored Pastor Cordell and Erin Hines for 20 years of pastoral ministry.  Congratulations Cordell and Erin!  Only eternity will reveal the full impact of your lives and ministry in the Olathe area.

On the 28^th Loretta and I visited The Worship Center at Brighton, CO on the occasion of their 35^th anniversary.  In 1977 Pastor Frank Schindler planted this church and it is exciting to think of all the people whose lives have been changed by God through the ministry of this church.  God bless you Pastor Robert T. and Anayansi Schlipp as you lead this church forward in this growing area of the Denver metroplex.

Sunday evening the 28^th Abundant Life Community Church in Arvada, CO voted Tim Rosenow in as their new Lead Pastor.  Tim served as an Associate Pastor at ALCC prior to this time.  Congratulations Tim and Bethany, and may God bless your leadership of ALCC going forward!

On Wednesday, October 31^st I met with Shiloh and Kimberly Jessop, newly appointed Missionary Associates going to the Philippines.  They will be working with Teen Challenge first in an established center and later developing another center to minister to trafficked girls.  Please keep your heart and church open to our missionaries.  They need our support to fulfill God’s call.

Shiloh and Kimberly have an extraordinary story.  Shiloh grew up in a Mormon polygamist family with two moms and 13 siblings.  He came to Christ through Christian radio and began attending Christian Life Assembly in Payson, UT under Mark Gering’s ministry.  He and Kimberly met later through Coram Deo Church, Pastor David Nicholson.  Kimberly, a graduate of Bethany University, came to Coram Deo to do missionary work among Mormon people.  I thank God for His hand on this young couple and their devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ. 

On November 2^nd and 3^rd Loretta and I attended the Utah Ministers retreat in Park City, UT.  Alex Lucero, Sid Casillas, and Dane Wead planned a fun and enriching experience for all who came.  God is doing great things in UT.  New PAC churches have emerged in the last year and churches are growing as the Kingdom of God advances in UT.  I thank God for every minister working in UT and pray for an ever increasing harvest of souls.

Saturday evening, November 3^rd we attended the Youth Convention service for the west slope of CO in Delta.  Dustin Williams, Youth Pastor at Life Church in Salt Lake City, UT shared a powerful message on living without regrets.  It was exciting to see so many young people seeking to live a life devoted to God without regrets.  Thanks Lee Terry for making these meaningful events available.

Sunday morning, November 4^th we visited Crossroads Victory Worship Center in Montrose, CO.  This was the final Sunday of their Missions Convention.  Pastor Chris and Debbie Peterson are effectively leading this church forward with a vision to reach Montrose and the world. 

As part of their vision they are nearing completion of a large all-purpose building which will allow them to expand their ministry to the church and community.  The new building will cost about $600,000 and they are paying for it debt free.  Their goal is to see one soul saved for every dollar spent on the building.  This includes the harvest that is coming from Crossroads Victory Worship Center in Montrose (6 new souls in the last week), the new work they helped in Dove Creek pastored by Buddy Bishop (5 new souls in recent days), and the missionaries they support around the world (80,000 new souls in recent days).  How about that!