About 18 months ago, the First Baptist Church in Newburgh acquired a Friend: the Temple of Praise Church of God in Newburgh. Pastor Luklen Simpson and his congregation came to us looking for a place to be. God had been preparing our hearts for some time and was getting us ready for an opportunity to say “Yes,” where formerly we would have quickly said “No,” but of course we would have said, very kindly, “go, we wish you well; keep warm and well fed” (James 2:16).
Since July of 2010, the Temple of Praise has shared our space. We have learned that the building is not truly ours at all—it is God’s House, and He has entrusted it to us as His stewards. It has been a good partnership, I think. Last Sunday, on Christmas Day, we joined our two congregations in worship as we celebrated the Birth of the King of Kings.
Of course, we have differences—different styles of worship; different ways of understanding certain points of our faith; different cultural backgrounds and traditions. These differences, though not divisive, can make shared worship times awkward and prickly. Even so, when one takes the time and patiently works through the awkwardness and overlooks the prickliness, these shared moments of celebration are priceless!
Thank You, Heavenly Father, for our Sister, the Temple of Praise Church of God. May You bless them, and especially bless their Pastor.
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