Stepping Forward with God’s Divine GPS: Breaking Free from Past Shackles

Have you ever questioned the direction of your life’s journey? Perhaps it’s time to hit pause, connect with God’s GPS, and explore the series “God’s Divine Directions.” Drawing an analogy from my car’s GPS revelation, where the destination appears only when I’m near, we unravel a profound truth about God’s GPS system. Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) sets the foundation, emphasizing that while we plan our course, it is the Lord who determines our steps.

“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.”

– Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)

The journey unfolds step by step, and today, we delve into the importance of forward steps on this divine path.

Begin with recognizing the similarity between earthly GPS and God’s divine guidance. Proverbs 16:9 serves as our guiding scripture, illuminating the concept that, with God’s GPS, the destination remains a mystery until we faithfully follow each step. Much like the screen of my car’s GPS, which reveals short distances before the final destination, God leads us through incremental steps.

In Philippians 3:12-13 and Exodus 14:12, 15-16, we confront a pivotal question: Are we actively taking forward steps spiritually in our lives? Stagnation or regression may indicate a need to align ourselves with the insights from these scriptures.

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,”

-Philippians 3:12–13 (ESV)

“Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness… The LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. [16] Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground.

– Exodus 14:12, 15-16 (ESV)

A critical impediment to forward steps is being anchored in the past. Paul’s wisdom in Philippians urges us to forget what lies behind and reach forward to what lies ahead. While reminiscing is natural, true liberation lies in embracing the present and taking that essential step forward. There is a reason that the rear-view mirror is smaller than your windshield.

Diving into the transformative power of forgiveness as a key to breaking free from the past. Matthew 18:21-22 emphasizes forgiveness, challenging us to break the chains holding us back. Whether it’s forgiving others or ourselves, this section encourages us to recognize that forgiveness is the key to stepping forward into a brighter future.

Standing still won’t reveal the full extent of God’s greatness. The Israelites had to continue to move forward to witness the extraordinary wonders God has in store and reveals God’s greatness in unexpected ways.

Acknowledging that not all steps are equal, especially in the spiritual realm, we explore the strain and effort required. Every step towards God demands leaving comfort zones and straining to move forward. Paul’s experiences echo in our understanding that spiritual steps forward often require everything we have.

Are you willing to do that today?

2023 YEAR END LETTER

Dear Soma Family,

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

– Proverbs 19:21

No one really knows how a journey will end as they take the first step. Life is full of unexpected roadblocks, detours, and hidden blessings—and this year has seen all three in abundance. Honestly, how many of your plans made it to the finish line this year? The end of the year is a good time to pull over and consider the road behind us as we prepare to navigate the road ahead. 2023 is ending, and how different this year turned out to be from what we expected when it began.

Though these past months have been tough, I am thankful to God for how he has worked in and through our congregation. We have seen church members work valiantly to keep us connected through worship gatherings services and Gospel Community meals/ study. We have ministered to our community through Affordable Christmas project, serving Lincoln University students, staff and administration while also serving our local elementary school Moreau Heights and in favelas in Brazil. We have also learned to pray together better than ever.

Many people are struggling financially this year, so I do not want to pressure you to give if you are unable — in fact, if you need help, we invite you to contact our Elders to explore ways we might assist you — but if you are in a position to give right now, I encourage you to consider Soma in your year-end giving plans. You can give in-person or online at somajc.org.

These last few years has been hard for our church financially. Many people have given faithfully, and we have been helped by fundraising efforts from our Elders, but we are still running behind our budget. So, any extra amount you might give at this time will be a big help.

More than anything, please continue to uphold our church in your prayers. Post-Covid we have had members of the congregation in a multitude of life stages and as they come to mind, please mention them in prayer to the Lord. These have been difficult times for all of us, and we all need each other’s support. Continue to be expectant and patient as we move into the new year. Join me in seeking God’s face in prayer (more on that in the coming days).

I’m not sure how many of your plans crashed and burned this year. Many of my friends feel like 2023 was a hard year—a year that lacked momentum, even so, plans are different from purpose. Plans involve getting to a desired destination in life—purpose is about destiny. The beautiful thing about God’s providence is that it unites our plans (even the bad ones) to His purpose for us and we know His purpose is to conform us to the image of His Son as He prepares us for an eternity of solid, unending joy (Romans 8:28-30).

While there are many worthwhile ministries to which many of us give, we encourage you to make your local church, the bride of Christ, a priority in your giving. This might be a chance to renew your monthly tithe, or to give a special year-end gift. Those in our church who give generously would all tell you that there is great joy in giving. May you experience his joy and contentment as you give back to God the first fruits of what he has given you!

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Jon C. Nelson, on behalf of the elders

How should Christians approach Halloween (or any other holiday)?

Halloween can be a polarizing time of year for Christians. Some Christians believe that Halloween is inherently evil while others believe that it is harmless. Some churches prohibit their members from celebrating Halloween, some churches offer fun Halloween night alternatives (Reformation Nights, Fall Festivals, etc.), some churches encourage their members to “redeem” Halloween.

[Read more…]

on the untimely passing of Don Hinkle

As many of you know Don Hinkle, founding editor of the Missouri Baptist Conventions “Pathway”, stepped into the presence of Jesus yesterday. Recently, he had planned to transition away from the Pathway at the end of the year, yet his transition came early and to a much better position. The day his transition was announced I had the opportunity to say “Thank you” for his years of service and express my excitement of his next venture. If you knew Don you knew that he cared deeply about serving churches and consistently helped Baptist across the nation to to articulate a biblical worldview in all aspects of life.

Whenever we would visit would talk about everything from Jesus, politics, sports, bowties and the state of journalism amongst other things. Under his leadership Missouri Baptist experienced many years of Kingdom service. While I am sad to see him pass, I know he is in heaven reunited with his sweet Bernadette and walking the Streets of Gold! Nevertheless, I have hope that I will see them both again in glory as we worship at the Throne of the Lamb, but for now we grieve, knowing that the Lord gives and the Lord takes away.

Thank you, Don Hinkle, for your friendship, leadership, love for the Kingdom of God
, and commitment to Southern Baptists.

Exciting Building Update

We have received many questions and inquiries people that are curious of the outcome of the vote for the Concord Baptist Church Association building, affectionately known as Soma. We first and foremost want to thank you so much for your prayers over the last few years. As you well know we have asked for ownership of this building for the better half of a decade. Unfortunately our efforts to gain ownership have been rebuffed multiple times.

Recently the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC), unbeknownst to us, approached our association with the idea of a swap. MBC Offered a wing of their building in downtown Jefferson City for ownership of the associational offices. A very similar swap was made 20 years ago when MBC gave this property to our association to do ministry at Lincoln University. Through financial analysis our association has estimated that it will save the association approximately $200,000 in the swap and it was presented to the large association to be voted on at the meeting on Sunday.

This last Sunday our Elder Kevin and Mrs. Terry attended the bi-annual associational meeting which was held at Freshwater church. The vote on the building was one of many things that needed to be dealt with this last Sunday, as the vote came up there was a light discussion and then the near unanimous vote to deed the building back to MBC! To be honest I received this text a few minutes before I had to step into a pulpit and preach for the third time on Sunday. And I can barely contain myself and excitement and was over come to tears. This is a momentous occasion for Soma and also for our association. In the next few weeks you will receive updates giving you specifics on what we’re going to be doing to move forward.

I can already hear many of you asking the question “what’s our next steps?“ Over the next few weeks we will be assessing the building to specifically know what needs to be done in the upcoming months. We will be communicating with you any and all moves that the association will be making and that we will be making and when construction will begin on the building. Please make sure that you follow these newsletters and our blog to keep up to date. Thank you so much for your prayers over the last few years. This is a step in the right direction but it’s not the end goal and please know we have so much work to do. I’m excited for what’s next for our convention, our association and our church.

Statement by MBC officers regarding the SBC Executive Committee and the Sexual Abuse Task Force

Dear Missouri Baptist Pastors and Churches,

First and foremost, thank you so much for your Kingdom work in our state and around the world. You are on the frontlines of ministry, the local church, the headquarters of the Convention. Without our cooperative efforts we would not be seeing the advances for the Kingdom of God.

This summer at the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) annual meeting an overwhelming majority of the 15,000 messengers passed a motion commissioning an investigation the handling of sexual abuse within our family—namely the Executive Committee. Rev. Dr. Ed Litton, our current SBC President, quickly appointed the Task Force (SATF) and the subsequently rehired Guidepost Solutions, formerly contracted by the Executive Committee (EC) for similar purposes.

The messengers intended the Task Force and third party agency to have unfettered access to and all information they would need to best conduct the investigation and bring any sins or correction needed to light through a report to the Convention at the 2022 Annual Meeting in Anaheim, CA next June.

Though there are very real legal implications and complications from this decision, what is not complicated is what the messengers at the annual meeting said that they wanted done. While we are thankful for each member of the EC and SATF, we are asking that you quickly sign the contract and begin the hard, difficult work of investigation.

To accomplish this we ask:

The EC agrees to waive its Attorney-Client privilege related to matters only within the scope of the Motion (items pertaining to Sexual Abuse). This is stated by the SATF’s latest “messenger model”(SATF Summary Bullet Points).
Agree to and sign the SATF negotiated contract with the commissioned third-party investigative agency and/or “umbrella” attorney chosen by the SATF.
Agree to comply fully with all of “the accepted best standards and practices recommended by the commissioned third party.” [Guidepost Solutions]

Let us be crystal clear, we abhor and renounce any form of sexual abuse and any attempt to conceal this sin. We grieve with and pray for survivors of sexual abuse and we seek to honor them as image bearers of God.

We also pray that both EC and the SATF will act justly, wisely, lovingly, and expeditiously in making Godly decisions to fulfill the will of the SBC messengers, restore the eroding cooperative trust so that we can continue to work together for the sake of God’s Kingdom.

We believe the Cooperative Program remains the most powerful tool for mobilizing resources for fulfilling the Great Commission to the world. Our joint efforts through the Cooperative Program make the SBC who we are. We stand with you in faith, that when we walk in the light as He is in the light, that our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ can handle whatever fallout may occur.

Our prayer is that God honoring decisions are made soon so that we can move forward as one for the Kingdom of God. We pray that this refining moment finds each of us ministers and churches faithful and ignites a renewed passion for gospel unity.

Signed by,

The Officers of the Missouri Baptist Convention

Pastor Jon C. Nelson – Lead Pastor of Soma Community Church – President

Pastor Chris Williams – Lead Pastor of Fellowship Church – First Vice – President

Rev. Dr. Lane Harrison – Lead Pastor of LifePoint Church – Second Vice – President

Pastor Jason Marlin – Senior Pastor at First Baptist Kirksville – Secretary

The Pastors and Messengers of the Missouri Baptist Convention

Pastor Nicholas Drake, Richland Baptist Church, Kingdom City

Pastor Scott Gordon, Claycomo Baptist Church, Kansas City

Pastor Taylor Whitmore, Southridge Baptist Church, Jefferson City

Pastor Rob Hurtgen, First Baptist Church, Chillicothe

Pastor Jamie Cartledge, Worship Pastor Claycomo Baptist Church, Kansas City

Pastor Joshua Meranda, Associate Pastor, Open Door Church, Columbia

Pastor Ryan Palmer, Senior Pastor, South Haven Baptist Church, Springfield

Pastor Chad Hodges, Director of Missions, Jefferson Baptist Association

Pastor Dale Thompson, Senior Pastor, Grant Avenue Baptist Church, Springfield

Pastor Michael Beene, Senior Pastor, Riverview Baptist Church, Osage Beach

Pastor Ryan West, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Steele

Pastor Mike Bergman, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Adrian

Pastor Tim Sperduto, Senior Pastor, Memorial Baptist Church, New Haven

Pastor Joshua Christy, Senior Pastor, Holden Baptist Church, Holden

Pastor Raymond Cabello, Senior Pastor, Redemption Christian Church, Maryland Heights

Pastor Steve Hodges, Senior Pastor, Prospect Baptist Church, Lonedell

Pastor Mike Self, Pastor of Discipleship & Administration, Canaan Baptist Church, St. Louis

Rev. Dr. Wesley Vance, Senior Pastor, Fellowship Kansas City, Kansas City

Pastor Russell Duncan, Associate Pastor of Mission’s and Education, Calvary of Neosho, Neosho

Rev. Dr. Mike Hubbard, Lead Pastor, Genesis Church, Eureka

Pastor Gary Walton, Senior Pastor, Heritage Baptist Church, Bolivar

Pastor Charles Yates, Senior Pastor, Calvary Baptist Church, Odessa

Pastor Robert Hudson, Senior Pastor, Littleby Baptist Church, Rush Hill

Pastor Dan Updegrave, Senior Pastor, The Road Church, Clever

Pastor LP Cook, Lead Pastor, Union Hill Baptist Church, Holt’s Summit

Pastor Jayson Workman, Lead Pastor, South Gate Baptist Church, Springfield

Pastor Paul Wellinghoff, Lead Pastor, FBC Eminence, Eminence

Pastor Anthony Stephens, Lead Pastor, FBC Fulton, Fulton

Pastor Scotty Watson, Senior Pastor, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Centralia

Pastor Richard Nations, Director of Missions, Thousand Hills Baptist Association, Kirksville

Pastor Dave Becker, Missions & College Pastor, FBC Bolivar, Bolivar

Pastor Gregg Fina, Revitalization Pastor, New Hope Baptist Church, Pevely

Pastor Dan Born, Pastor, Believers Church, Hannibal

Pastor Scott Hawkins, Lead Pastor, Calvary Baptist Of Joplin

Pastor Tyler Shipley, Senior Pastor, Huntsville First Baptist Church, Huntsville

If you are a Missouri Baptist Pastor or Layperson and would like to sign to this statement, please comment below with your name and title/church (if applicable) and we will add your name.

Soma Community Church

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