From the Elders: The Blessing of Membership Interviews

Since February, following the Sunday morning service at Faith Bible Fellowship Church of York, I have had the privilege of meeting with individuals interested in becoming members (26 in total, to be exact). These meetings take place in my office after most congregants have departed. During these interviews, I am honored to hear how each prospective member came to faith in Jesus Christ. Honestly, listening to these personal conversion stories is one of the greatest joys of my pastoral ministry.

Now, in these interviews, I engage with prospective members by asking them to articulate the gospel, respond to a few affirmation and denial questions, describe how the Holy Spirit has gifted them, and to share their insights on our church community. However, it's their stories of conversion that never cease to amaze me. It is a profound honor to be trusted with such personal accounts of who individuals were before coming to faith in Jesus Christ, how they came to faith in Jesus Christ, and who they are now as followers of Jesus Christ.

So, to all of our new members joining us this May, and to everyone else who has shared their testimony with me previously during this process, I just wanted to extend my heartfelt thanks. Hearing your stories is truly a highlight of my ministry, as it reminds me anew of the wonderful and powerful ways in which our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ saves sinners from their sins.

So, thank you, church family, for sharing with me and trusting me with your conversion stories. It truly is an encouragement to me as your pastor.

Press on,
Pastor Wesley