Glancing Back. Gazing Forward.

An excerpt from Johns Creek Baptist Church: The First 20 Years 1993-2013, by Barbara Brown and David Brown:

The goal of the new JCBC congregation was to relocate and occupy the new building on McGinnis Ferry Road within one year from the date of breaking ground for construction. Phase I of the project, consisting of the chapel for worship with space for religious education and administrative offices (27,600 square feet), was complete and the congregation’s goal was achieved! On Sunday morning, October 17, 1993, at 9:30 a.m., a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place, followed by the first worship service in the new church at 10:30 a.m. Dr. Self described the two events: “The first Sunday at the new site was glorious. The church was filled to overflowing with people, a good mix of the Chamblee and Johns Creek people. When we extended an invitation to unite with the church, the aisles were filled with people—so filled that we could not absorb all of them. We had to stop the invitation and ask those who could not get to the front of the church to wait until the following week…and they did!” (p.23)

Notice the date? October 17, 1993. That’s twenty-five years ago, today!
For a quarter of a century, God has been up to something good at JCBC.
And four days from today, we will gather to celebrate!

This Sunday, we gather to practice two great acts of faith: we glance back and we gaze forward.

We glance back to give thanks for how faithful God has been in recent days. Looking back and tracing Grace is, indeed, an act of worship and faith. When the church deliberately recalls sacred memory, she is fueled with courage and confidence to perform the other act of faith: gazing forward. We gaze forward, in order to peek into the heart of God an envision what God’s own desires may be for the future of this great church.

These two great acts of faith will be practiced all morning long through a variety of expressions, but in particularly focused ways in my State of the Church sermon.

This will be one of the most important worship services of our year.
Unless otherwise providentially hindered, all JCBC members should plan to be present Sunday.

May this Sunday (once more) be “glorious…and overflowing with people…”

Have I told you lately how much I love being your pastor?
Well, I do.

Rev. Dr. Shaun King
Senior Pastor
Johns Creek Baptist Church