First Baptist Church of Vineland, NJ

Welcoming, Witnessing & Winning for the Kingdom of God

September 2000

When Henry Ford purchased a large insurance policy for himself, the Detroit newspapers put it on the front page of their paper because he was such a prominent figure.  One of the articles was read by an old friend of Mr. Ford's, who was in the insurance business. Completely surprised by the purchase since he had not heard Mr. Ford was in the market for insurance, the friend went to see him and asked him why the policy was not purchased from him since he was a personal friend and had been one for many years.  Mr. Ford's reply was, "You never asked me."

This brings to mind our lives and those we know and call family and friends.  Could it be that someone we have known for years is not saved, nor a member of the church because we have never asked them?  Will there be personal friends of our who will spend eternity separated from us because we never invited them to be a part f a worship service?  Why not invite someone to accompany you some Sunday morning or Sunday evening?  You never know just what the invitation might lead to, but God does.  By doing this you would be living out the vision statement of "Welcoming, Witnessing and Winning for the Kingdom of God!"

Somewhere along the way I ran across the following: "If your religion cannot get you into the service at God's house, don't count too heavily on it getting you to Heaven."  Each one should resolve to "Live as though Christ died yesterday, rose from the grave today, and is coming back again tomorrow."

Pastor Bob