Fruitfulness of Thrive@Ridge

"For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s[d]will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God."(Colossians 1:9-10)

I have read these words from Paul many times, but the truth within these words resonates differently since Ridge UMC responded to our Thrive@Ridge First Fruits Sunday & Confirmation Sunday!  My prayers at 7:19am and 7:19pm have not yet ceased although we passed our 40 days a few days back.  One reason I have not stopped praying is because I am so grateful.  The other reason for my unceasing prayers is that I can see the 'fruits' of our campaign even though reducing debt is an 'invisible task'.

I see the fruits of our good work when I talk with leaders who are even more excited about what God is doing at Ridge.  Fruits of confidence in God are now more abundant.

Fruits are noticed in the changed mindset of our leaders and staff whose mindsets have left the survive mindset behind and are now willing to wrestle with new and lofty goals for the future!

We witnessed the fruits of ministry together on Sunday as we welcomed our newest and youngest members, our 2017 Confirmation class.  They are ready to do ministry with us!

We see the fruits when we celebrate that 57 families from Ridge have now pledged $535,212.00 to our debt reduction campaign over the next three years!

Finally, the tangible fruits filled our offering plates this past Sunday.  Ridge received her largest offering (in the history of the church) on Sunday May 21, 2017 as over $95,000.00 was given to our Thrive@Ridge debt reduction campaign (not counting our offerings/tithes for operating budget and missions).  Thanks be to God!

This is why I am not done saying, "Thank you" to you or to God!  Please join me in an attitude of gratitude as we bear the fruits of generosity, gratitude, hope, joy, and peace while we THRIVE@Ridge.

See you at the fruitfulness place,

Pastor Michelle