For the eleventh time in the history of Lancaster Baptist Church, we thrust our silver shovel in the ground, beginning a new building project by faith. Yesterday morning we broke ground for our West Wing Tower—the first in a three-phase expansion project for our auditorium.

From a human standpoint, starting a multi-million dollar building project during an economic recession is poor timing. But as we gathered on the lawn yesterday, we looked at another time in history when God’s people began a massive building project in uncertain days. Like Nehemiah and the Israelites who built the wall with him, we believe that “The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build” (Nehemiah 2:20)!

Many times over the past twenty-five years we have stepped out in faith and made the sacrifices necessary to provide more space. Every time, God has not only been faithful to provide each need, but He has also filled every new seat! This week, we embark on another spiritual journey that will expand our capacity to reach more people and will increase our faith in God to provide. (more…)

Early in my pastoral ministry at Lancaster Baptist Church, the Lord allowed me to preach at a meeting in Northern California with Dr. Lee Roberson. He was the pastor of Highland Park Baptist Church for many years, and the founder of Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, Tennessee. As a young pastor, I was eager to spend some time with Dr. Roberson and to receive counsel from him regarding our growing, young church.

Finally, the moment came when I was alone with him. With a yellow pad in hand, and a heart full of questions, I was ready to vigorously take note of every word. I was certain I would leave the appointment with several pages of notes to implement in my life and local church.

I don’t recall what my first question was, but I will never forget his answer. With his trademark tone of voice, and with firm but brief certainty, he simply said, “Die to self and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” This wasn’t quite the profound, lengthy, detailed answer I had anticipated. It struck me as overly simplistic and left me wanting a longer discussion about the problem. But I wasn’t about to question this great man. I wrote the answer down and moved on to the next question.

Once again, and with the same tone of voice, his resolute answer was, “Die to self and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Can you believe this continued for several more questions? His pat answer to nearly every single question was the same, “Die to self and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

What at first seemed overly simplistic, became a transforming truth to my entire life and ministry. God knew exactly what I needed to hear, and He let me hear it over and over that day. I will never forget that meeting. It changed everything about my approach to the Christian life and ministry. It was without hesitation, the greatest advice I have ever been given.

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

This past Monday evening, during our Missions Conference, our church had the privilege of ordaining Brother Enoch Kim to the Gospel ministry. Brother Kim is a graduate of West Coast Baptist College and has served on our staff, developing our Korean ministry, for the past couple of years. He and his wife Grace are faithful servants with a testimony of committed love to Christ.

This night was particularly significant as Brother Kim’s salvation and call to ministry is the product of missions. And the evening was particularly memorable as the Lord allowed several of those key players who have had a tremendous influence in Brother Kim’s life to attend.

A few of the special guests attending this occasion were Dr. and Mrs. Daniel Kim, Brother Enoch’s in laws; Dr. and Mrs. Jack Baskins, the American missionaries who led Dr. Kim to Christ; Dr. and Mrs. Andrew Baik, faithful servants of the Lord in Dr. Kim’s church; and Mrs. Esther Yu, a pianist in Dr. Kim’s church for many years. It was through the Baskins’ faithfulness over fifty years ago that Dr. Kim was saved, and it was through Dr. Kim’s church that Enoch was reached with the Gospel as a Korean teenager in a Buddhist home. Later, he married Dr. Kim’s daughter, Grace. (more…)

Spiritual Leadership Conference has already held so many blessings. My heart has been stirred through the preaching, sharpened through the fellowship, and touched through the testimonies of others. But the watershed moment for me happened yesterday afternoon when I stepped into the room where our annual West Coast Baptist College alumni luncheon was served. (Many of our alumni attend the conference, and this luncheon is a great way for them to get together each year.)

One of the decisions requiring the most faith that our church ever made was to start West Coast Baptist College. From its beginning, the college surpassed all of our resources in every way—time, money, facilities—everything! To this day, overseeing and caring for the college is a daily walk of faith.

Not only that, but it’s a lot of work! Over the years, God has brought together a team of staff and faculty who tirelessly give of themselves to this work of training laborers for His harvest. Of course, even as we pour our lives and our hearts into our students, we do it with gratefulness to have a part in their future labors.

But yesterday afternoon, when I stepped into the room where the alumni had gathered for lunch, I was overwhelmed by what I saw—hundreds of men and women who are literally serving the Lord all around the world as pastors, missionaries, assistants, Christian school teachers—faithful servants of God. Seeing so many at the same time astounded me as I realized the magnitude of what God has done through these years of faith and labor. (more…)

Today we celebrate our twenty-fifth anniversary at Lancaster Baptist Church. How the time has flown!

The past weeks have been somewhat of a reflective journey for Terrie and me. So many people have been a part of these twenty-five years, and so many special events have taken place.

The years have been full—holding more than I could have imagined when I first moved my family to a small town in the desert. I knew there would be some challenges, but as a twenty-four-year-old pastor, I was probably a bit naïve.

What have the years held? Trials? more than I expected. Sleepless nights? plenty. Challenges? they’ve been part of every building program. Heartache? it’s part of loving and shepherding people.

But that is only a fraction of the story. Overwhelmingly, these twenty-five years have been full of the goodness and blessings of God! (more…)