This Is What the Local Church Should Look Like

This is a letter written by a family in our church as we approach the third anniversary service. What a blessing it is to serve in this congregation!
In January, 2007 our family faced the uncertainly of finding a new church home after more than eight years in another church. Our foremost concern at the time was finding a church of "like faith", however, one phone call, by the Lord's good providence, would supply us with much more than that. Our first visit to Grace was a Lord's Day evening at Pastor Ray Rhodes home. It was also the beginning of a relationship with a truly vibrant, caring body of believers "adorn[ing] the doctrine of God our Savior in all things," (Titus 2:10). The exposition of the Word of God was certainly faithful to the truth and food for our souls but as importantly the body gave faithful testimony to the work of grace in their lives individually and in the corporate life of the church, i.e., they lived what was being preached and demonstrated that grace is not just a set of doctrines but a living reality in the soul, displayed in each member. My wife and I were admitted to membership in August, 2007. Throughout our time here we have experienced personal spiritual growth through the faithful teaching of God's Word, loving accountability that encourages us to walk pleasing to God, elders that genuinely care for the souls of the flock whom they serve, and true worship and fellowship with the body. The greatest blessing we have received, though, is that through the faithful example and witness of the body, one of our sons came to salvation in Christ in April, 2008. What greater blessing can we, or the church, receive than to see another sheep brought into the sheepfold! We rejoice that the Lord has fit us into this local body and pray that we might be able to return a small part of the blessing that we have received from Grace Community Church. May the Lord continue to bless and use this body for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom.