Through the modern innovation of podcasting, I was able to hear the Sunday morning sermon at Waynesboro in spite of the fact that I was over 300 miles away. Bob Haggard, one of our elders, did a fantastic job presenting a very relevant, much needed lesson. Bob encouraged everyone to "reach down in the gut" and do the things in their lives that will bring them closer to God. I was really inspired by this lesson. We can all stand to be closer to God, some of us may need to pray more, and others need to study more, many need to make a commitment to be at services each time the church meets. As Bob said, we have to just reach down in the gut and do it!
We have many people in the church at Waynesboro and Wayne County who have been "reaching down in the gut" lately and as a result not only are these people closer to God themselves but his church has been glorified as a result. Bobby Pinckley, our Visitation Minister, has been quietly carrying out the work of the Lord since he was hired in this position. Bobby keeps in constant contact with those who are sick through calls and visits in the home, hospital, nursing homes, and assisted living facility and provides these people with much needed support and prayer. One more "silent" work Bobby has been involved in is home bible study, people have been brought to Christ because of these studies and others continue to benefit from a greater knowledge of scripture as a result of studying with Bobby. Bobby Pinckley is "reaching down in the gut!"
Wayne County Christian Camp took place this past weekend and was a HUGE success. This ministry would never have got off the ground if not for some people reaching into their guts. Jeff Skelton poured his heart into this camp and as a result almost half of the campers in attendance were those who were associated with Waynesboro church of Christ. Jeff "reached down in the gut" for this ministry and God has been glorified. Tracy Love from Clifton and Gregg Lee from Collinwood deserve "gut reacher" awards for this effort as well, we are blessed to have these two men working for the Lord in Wayne County.
Coming up soon, three men from Waynesboro will be reaching deep into their gut as they travel to Honduras on a mission to spread the gospel and help build up Christians in that part of the world. Jerry Hollis, Greg Griggs, and Jonathan Shular will be traveling to Honduras with the group from Clifton as part of this ongoing mission effort. These men exhibit the very definition of reaching down in the gut.
I love the Waynesboro Church of Christ and the spirit of her people! What can you do to bring yourself and your family closer to God? It is time to reach down in the gut!
Mitchell
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