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Church and Community

Mark Stockwell

 

I’ve been reflecting a lot on church and community—and why they’ve been so important—since I had the car accident in mid-2024. I knew in my head, according to scripture, that it was a religious duty, but experiencing community—whether it’s my church family, Families of Faith family, or mates I grew up with—has opened the eyes of my heart to why it’s truly important.

Community is where we can show each other, in practical ways, how we love, appreciate, and value others. There is purpose! You have a purpose, and the world needs you. That’s why God made you who you are.

Hebrews 10:22-25 (KJV)
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Notice the words “provoke unto love and good works”. We often associate the word provoke with a negative context, but here it’s presented in a positive way! If we don’t meet up with each other, how can we provoke each other to love and do good works?

Before I came to Breakthrough, I had attended six different churches. Although I thought myself a mature Christian, I soon realised I was a pot plant Christian, with no depth to my root system and, consequently, stunted growth. I wasn’t willing to get too involved because I was never sure if I was going to stay.

God gave me this scripture when I was about 13, at my water baptism:

Psalms 1:3 (KJV)
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,
that bringeth forth his fruit in his season;
his leaf also shall not wither;
and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

When we came to Breakthrough, I had no intention of getting involved on any level—except coming on Sunday morning for my son Samuel’s sake and my wife Kirstie. But when we entered the building, I felt God say, “The time for being a pot plant Christian is over! This is good ground.” My excuses about there being no faith was gone. I needed to plant myself here. While I had been wading around in the river—maybe up to my knees or waist—the real growth didn’t begin until I got fully submerged.

I’ve been a very slow learner over the years. I’ve discovered that if I wait until I think I’m ready, I’ll always find a reason why I’m not ready... so I must trust in God! If He says you're ready, He will anoint you to succeed. God loves to use the weak and lowly.

Look at Gideon in Judges 6:11-7:25. If we could do it in our own strength, we wouldn’t need God! It’s amazing how God can move in our lives when we give it all to Him—when we begin living and abiding in His Word, seeking first Him and His righteousness. Something changes in your heart. Like the old hymn says, “The things of earth will grow strangely dim”. Things that used to have a hold on you melt away. A new fire begins to burn, and you want to see people in your life group walk in victory and grow. You want to see the youth become zealous and strong in their faith.

We have a family that is so much deeper. We journey together through trials and tribulations and provoke each other to love and good works. I’ve experienced so much growth in the last two years… after I decided to throw myself into my church family, boots and all.

We’re all a work in progress, and it’s never too late to get involved!