Pastor's Note
BROADENING HORIZONS
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Wedding receptions are a curious thing. They are attempts to
bring together in celebration those people who are near and dear to the bride
and groom. It can seem a curious mix. Some attendees only know either the bride
or the groom, so we separate them in the chapel with his friends on one side
and hers on the other. As if it were the marriage of Mr. Hatfield to Miss
McCoy. The reception can offer glimpses into what the new family recently minted
during the ceremony might look like. Had a similar experience recently in Orlando. Two great
loves of my life involve the ministry of Open Door Bible Church and that of a
mission organization called Pioneers. I had the privilege of inviting friends
from the church I’ve pastored for 38 years to meet friends of the mission
organization that I’ve been a part of for 33 years (if I can include the 23
years on the boards of Arab World Ministries before the merger). No question
that the one group would bond with the other in mutual admiration and
commitment to the same goals. Pioneers captures their passion in the tagline: “The
relentless pursuit of the unreached.” Open Door has always had that same heart for
the world. And it was a powerful couple of days! New friendships formed. New
opportunities to explore working together for kingdom glory. I’m excited to see
what the Lord has in store in the coming days.
