March 20, 2025

March 20, 2025

This comes to mind particularly as I prepare for our move to follow God’s call to another church. I see the signs about me. Boxes litter my office as I pen these words, and I have become nose-blind to the cardboard aroma that permeates the room. Reviewing files and packing things fills me with memories of outreach at Redland.

I recall the trips into the community with the youth to invite people to the next event at the church. Seeing hesitant youth grow in confidence to speak to people about opportunities at Redland still brings a smile to my face.

I remember joining the Dominican Republic mission trip in 2015. I brought my baseball gear for sports clinics, and we used the time to help kids learn how to win in life through faith in Christ.

Another fond outreach memory is of the marble jars representing faith conversations. Several of you shared about your conversations to give a visual reminder of our constant gospel call.

Just last month, over 30 of you attended the evangelism workshop to gain encouragement and skills in sharing the gospel. And last Sunday, Michael followed up with his “Five Alive” sermon about John 3:16.

These and many other memories indicate that Redland has developed a culture that knows the importance of making disciples.

I thank God for the privilege He has given me to serve Him among you, and I pray that you will continue the mission God has called all of us to complete. We were given the mission to make disciples long before I came to Redland. That mission predates Bill Archer, Mark Adams, and even Bob Rich, Redland’s first pastor. The mission will continue with Redland’s next pastor and far beyond.

In short, the mission continues!

Perhaps, as you assess church life at Redland, you want to hit the ministry pause button and wait until a new pastor. But I urge you to lean into the mission God has you on. Continue to further the culture of outreach as our Lord commands:

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV)

Your partner in ministry,
Kevin Freeman