“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:21
Dear Church Family,
Earlier this week we shared the news that I will be moving this summer to begin a new appointment as the Senior Pastor of A&M United Methodist Church in College Station. While I am still working to process this news, there is so much to be done. I have a lot of work that I am really excited about that needs to move across the finish line before moving day. We also need to sell our home.
We met with a Realtor this week to begin the process of getting our home ready to list. We have already begun cleaning, donating things we no longer need, and packing up seasonal items. As I have wrapped and boxed items that represent places we have served in ministry, I am reminded of the many people who have impacted my life in every appointment and I am reminded of why I do what I do.
Every church I have pastored has left a permanent imprint on my heart. The lives touched, the communities transformed, the people who have grown their faith in Jesus are a real treasure. As I prepare to move physical things to another place, I go as one who will continue to invest in God’s kingdom even as you continue to build God’s kingdom here.
Tomorrow I am going to preach on our fifth and final strategy for making disciples: “Give.” When we are generous with our whole lives, and invest our time, our spiritual gifts, our financial resources, and our volunteer service in building up the church, we resource and fuel discipleship formation. When we Give, it makes is possible for others to Get Connected, to Gather, to Grow, and to Go.
I am so thankful that I have invested my life in the church. As hard as it is to leave people I love to move to a new appointment, I know God’s kingdom will continue to grow here in Houston through you. I encourage you to invest in the church so that our city and the world can be transformed by the work God does through us. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
See you Sunday!
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Lance
Rev. Lance Richards
Senior Pastor
[email protected]