“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

 

The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31).Character development is essential to the task of a disciple. As followers of Jesus Christ, our goal is to become like Jesus. Outwardly, we strive to act and speak like Jesus. Inwardly, we invite the Holy Spirit to transform our spirit into the likeness of Jesus Christ. As the Holy Spirit works, we develop the qualities of compassion, kindness, and humility.

 

Together as the family of Wesley Chapel, we excel in displaying a Christ-like presence when we show radical hospitality to all people regardless of outward appearance. We are not to judge the color of one’s skin, ink, or hair. We are all on this journey of faith together. Our church is beginning to become diverse. Maria is originally from El Salvador. She and her husband James bring their two daughters to worship. Maria serves in the children’s department. Jalissa and Sage have two children at Wesley Chapel. Jalissa represents our church at the state level as a voting member to the Indiana Annual Conference. Sage serves in AV. Ernesto and Jessica bring their four daughters. Ernesto is planning to join the Mission Team to go to the Dominican Republic.

On January 19, Maria, Jalissa, and Ernesto will join me in sharing their stories. I will ask them how we can increase our hospitality and make all people feel welcome and loved at Wesley Chapel. May we continue to love God and love people as Christ does.

 

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” –Martin Luther King, Jr., August 28, 1963.

 

Grace & Peace,

Pastor Tony