Greetings to my beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord!
Oh, how I miss you all. As you know, this has been a hectic season for me. The travel for the sake of ministering the gospel in word & song, and the intentional cultivating of ministry relationships that continue to bless our church in ways that are too numerous to count, have been extensive as of late. I feel like the Apostle Paul when he wrote in Philippians 1:7 [ESV] -
It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.
I often thank the Apostle Paul for always providing the right words to convey my feelings. 😉
Allow me to provide some updates both from my travels and things that have been happening behind the scenes that have and will significantly impact us as a church:
I visited with Ps. Steve and Jessi Andres and New City Church in Naperville, IL. It was an honor to minister God's Word the weekend after Thanksgiving. They received the word with great joy. It felt great to thank them in person for their partnership with us for the Comeback Offering. Watch the video.
For the last three months, I've reconnected in ministry with our Founding Pastor and my Spiritual Father, Ps. Tim Dilena. They recently went through an abrupt transition with their music ministry—our own Bro. DoRohn Gough has flown in weekly for the last three months to help lead the musicians at Times Square Church. I, too, have come in periodically to help lead worship. We are here to help with their Christmas on Broadway production with CeCe Winans, which will run for three straight nights [Dec. 19th-21st]. I am soliciting your prayers that people will give their hearts to Christ because of the production. I was also able to personally thank their board of elders and leadership team for their support of our church during the Comeback Offering and the many other times they have supported us during my tenure.
I am thankful for your continued prayers, support and serving. The faithfulness you all have shown shows that our church is not about a personality or single individual but rather the presence of the ONLY true and living God. The reports that have come in, coupled with the photos and video clips that I've seen from the Christmas Toy Giveaway simply blew me away!
I want to thank the deacons who have covered and supported Lady Cortney and me during this time. Deacon Don, Deaconess Jones, and Ps. Ken, THANK YOU!
I also want to publicly thank my CORE Team & Staff, who keep the wheels on the bus moving day by day. The saying is true:
"You don't go as far as your dream. You go as far as your team."
On that note, let me give BIG shoutouts to Ps. Eli, Ps. Lisa, Dr. Sarah, Ps. Max, and Will Watson. You all make ministry easy for me, and I am forever grateful for that.
I return home later this week, and I'm looking forward to seeing you all and worshipping together for our Christmas Eve Eve joint service with Harris Memorial COGIC. It will be a powerful time in the presence of the Lord. 7 PM. Get there early.
Blessings 'til we meet again, but until then, Go with God, and He will go with you!
Ps. Devin
P.S
Did you all hear Ps. Max and Minister Sheyonna sermons on Advent? My GOD 🤯
