Steve's Testimony
On Sunday, we asked church member Steve Zietlow to share about his experience at the Sovereign Grace Pastors Conference last week. This is a wonderful window into the good work God did among us. Thank God and pray for Him to continue to bless us and our partners in Sovereign Grace.
When I was invited to attend the Pastor’s conference this year. I was a little confused. I don’t hold any role of leadership at the church and I have plenty of things to do at work. Why do I need to attend?
On my way to Orlando, my flight was delayed and my attitude was poor, to say the least. However, when I walked into the conference and 600 people began singing in one voice, praises to Jesus and when the preeminence of Jesus was preached, I realized why I was there: It was for me and it was for you.
Selfishly, for me, I was a bit adrift in the “business” of church. Having served in leadership in other churches, it was sadly becoming a bit clinical for me and there was an underlying bitterness that I didn’t even realize was there. In the very first session, it seemed as if Jeff Pursewell was talking right to me. He asked the question of what we needed when our hearts were weary. His answer was that we “Need our eyes fixed, our souls soothed, and our Hope set on Jesus.” Throughout the week, these God gifted leaders were used by Him to proclaim the centrality of Jesus and His faithfulness, to me and to our churches. In the midst of these last couple of crazy years, I had become more and more blind to this fact. Those messages, the worship, and the fellowship was like a salve for my soul. I realized that I needed to be there for the embrace of the gospel truth.
The other reason I realized that I was there was for you. After it was over I told Pastor Mike and Pastor Dustin that I wish we could have brought the whole church family. So here is what I observed:
The leaders of Sovereign Grace have a passionate love for our Savior, Jesus.
God is using the partnerships that our churches have with one another to strengthen and further His ministry to the world. We are more than a denomination, we are a family.
Your leaders here in Orange love you, love one another, and love Jesus.
I want to thank you for sending me and for sending the leadership of this church to the Pastors Conference this year. I can honestly speak for every one of us that we returned home changed and refreshed to continue on mission here in Orange to proclaim the preeminence of Jesus.
Thank you for sharing, Steve!