An Example of Family

Greeting from Pastor Dennis and Sheila Cole family (and from conference KMI pastors and many friends from other covenant churches)

Example of family
Dennis (my pastor who also pastors in Newport KY, Lifegate Church) often sends you his greetings. While we talked last weekend he  encouraged me to thank you for your prayers for their family. Please receive his and Sheila’s love for you. Though we only see him a few times a year we have a real sense of koinonia (fellowship, community  and covenant relationship).

They still need to sell their old house (in which currently lives their youngest daughter and husband, and their son Elijah), while his father and Sheila’s mother share living space in their new home. In addition their oldest son and another daughter and their families live within a few hundred yards of them.

Family is hard work but has great reward. The Coles are a good example as they work hard to build spiritual community with their family and in the Church to demonstrate to the world the love and unity of the trinity. Whether we are first generation, or crying out to God for prodigals, let your faith be encouraged to keep on praying and building koinonia.

Building Spiritual Family and when possible in the natural
Dennis’ family usually has four generations in worship together. They have many years of shared multi-generational ministry. Desmond Cole transitioned the church to Dennis’ leadership 25 years ago, similar to how Richard McAfee did here with me (nearly 16 years ago). Dennis’s son Jeremiah (who has ministered here several times) is now one of the elders there and he actually led the Gatekeepers conference which is completely hosted by the next generation.

This conference reinforces our values of covenant relationship, seeking God’s kingdom, practicing discipleship and joining the generations (both spiritual and natural). Jeremiah and others thanked us for making the 14 hour trip. Our CLC group and MC graduates filled three rows and are a model of the vision of building by uniting people of many different ages, in kingdom of God, covenant and discipleship.

By the way, Jordan Marlowe announced his engagement at the conference. He proposed to his fiancee while there, sharing that joy with MC friends. Hannah, Sarah, Melissa, Levi, and Ryan all sent their love to you as well.

Loving Family Reforms Culture spiritually and naturally

The more the nuclear family bears the image of Holy Three in One God, it becomes a source of reformation not only in the church but to the congregation and the community at large.

The Family of God confronts and overcomes demonic evil

We also must resist the demonic warfare and cultural negativity against building as spiritual and natural family (lies like don’t have too many children; marriage isn’t important; go find your own way and life instead of first inheriting the heart and learning the ways of your natural parents if possible, as well as that of your spiritual leaders; mom and dad be independent; kids be peer oriented, etc...)

The warfare makes it even harder yet more worthwhile and critical that we reform the earth in God’s image by building in koinonia. This will attract those who want to be saved. It is God’s will that all be saved and those who feel solitary know his joining in his family.

May God bless Pastor Dennis and Sheila and their example and may we be encouraged in the pattern of the love and unity of the Holy Trinity, in both our natural and spiritual family.

Eph 2:18-19  For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.  So then you are...members of the household of God,

3:20-21   Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.  Amen.

-PD