I'm glad I'm a part of the family of God

We attended the service at the mission church near our home this morning. This group of believers has been meeting for less than two years, and rents a storefront that once was a seafood restuarant.

The service was directed by Alex. Alex is our vet. Alex was not a believer when we met him. We have 3 dogs, a cat, 2 birds, and a rabbit. Through various pet illnesses and injuries, including the death of two huskies, we had many chances to talk with Alex about Jesus. In July 2004, in a Bible study in his home, Alex accepted Christ as his Savior. We call this Pet Evangelism. He is now the treasurer of this new church and is beginning a new outreach group in his town.

The man greeting people at the door was Juan. Juan owns our favorite pizzeria. We brought a volunteer prayerwalk team there to eat several years ago. After the pizza, they asked if they could pray for him and his family. This opened the door for my husband to begin studying the Bible with Juan and his wife Susy. After a few months, they became believers. Let's call this Pizzeria Evangelism. As I looked around the room, I saw our former next-door neighbors, who met Christ while we lived beside them. I am thankful that many of our friends have become members of the family of God.

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13 (ESV)