The most memorable event in the Atlanta area on Friday, March 14, 2008 was the tornado that touched down in downtown Atlanta and brought shock and awe to our unsuspecting, fair city.  While I was amazed at this event, for me there was something happening even more remarkable, and that by God’s grace will be even more impacting, namely East Point Church met for the first time in East Point, GA.  While God was demonstrating his awesome power in destroying buildings and massive man-made structures in downtown Atlanta, He was also establishing once again His church in East Point, and building what no man can destroy. 

Over this past year we have experienced many marvelous and challenging things.  God’s goodness and mercy has been upon us, as we have at every step found Him faithful.  We have found success in our labors and have been encouraged on every hand to continue in the labors God has so graciously set before us.  We know that none of this is possible except God is pleased to work through us.  We believe God has much to do with the gospel to us and through us.  Yet, we praise Him because He has done much already.  The grace of God has been mighty in our midst.  Today I want to share several of the observations of Grace I have been encouraged to witness at EPC over this past year.

1.  The Growth of the Gospel.  Most amazing is how the teaching and preaching of the gospel grows a church.  From day one we committed to making the gospel the main thing.  We prayed that the gospel would make a difference in our lives and community.  By God’s love and grace it has. 

2.  The Power of Prayer.  It is amazing (though it should not amaze us) that when we got serious about prayer, we began to see God’s hand in tangible, loving ways.  God has given us a wonderfully gracious taste of what He will do through and to men and women who will stay on their knees before Him.  Let us keep praying! 

3.  The Fellowship of the Beloved.  The gospel has been faithful in forming us into a community and it has enriched our fellowship.  I have seen genuine community begin to take shape. 

4.  The Grace of Giving.  The Bible is clear, “where your treasure is there will your heart be also.”  Giving to EPC continues to be a gracious reminder of the triumph of God and his grace in our lives. 

5.  The Grace of Serving.  The gospel creates servants – servants of Christ who delight to serve each other.  EPC has been faithful in sacrificing thime and energy for the glory of God and good of others. 

6.  WOW.  The potential for gospel impact is no greater than it is with the encouraging ministry that is the women’s ministry of EPC.  Women Of the Word is growing and reaching out.  East Point Church is the better for it. 

7.  Christ-loving Leadership.  Over the past year God has loved us by leading men to assume leadership with a love for Him, the church, and each other.  We don’t take this for granted and do give praise to God for faithful, loving men. 

East Point Church is just beginning.  Lord willing, we have a long ways to go.  But as I look over this past year, God has done a wonderful work in my life in allowing me to be a part of this wonderful work.  If God so chooses not to allow me another day in the leadership of EPC, I would be pleased to give him thanks for what EPC has meant to me and my family and for the growth I have experienced because of it.  Still, I pray to have many, many more years of service along side my brothers and sisters of EPC.  I rejoice to even consider this thought. 

One year ago we were reminded that tornadoes come and tornadoes go, but the church of Jesus Christ is established and the winds of change or the gates of hell can not prevail against it.  Let us praise God for His faithfulness and for the Gospel of our Lord that is establishing East Point Church for the glory of God and the good of His people.