Relational Partnership - Samuel Choi

What Do Gospel-Centered Relationships Look Like Between Churches?

Friendship

Friends care, give, forgive, listen, support, and do life together. What a friend we have in Jesus! Indeed, through the friendship centered on Jesus, I believe pastor Matt Kyser and the leadership at The Village Church have demonstrated such friendship centered on the gospel.

I remember meeting pastor Matt Kyser for the first time during a Mars Hill Men’s Advance that was hosted at The Village Church in the summer 2012. After sharing the stories briefly about how Jesus called each of us to make disciples, the friendship in the gospel grew into the partnership in the gospel. The sign “Choi for Mayor” Youth Pastor David put on the cubicle upstairs where the current youth room is located was a great reminder of the fun we had as we got to know one another.

Sponsorship

The Village Church demonstrated the goodness and generosity of God displayed in the gospel through supporting Center Church with finances and facilities. The financial support we received at the beginning stage of fundraising efforts confirmed God’s calling and encouraged us tremendously.

The time of rest and reflection my wife and I enjoyed through a Restor Weekend in Fall 2012, provided by The Village Church, gave us with much needed refreshment and strengthening of our marriage and ministry in the months to come. We were truly blessed to make a transition from a house church to a core group that started to gather in the youth room at The Village Church beginning Spring 2013.

Worship

Gospel partnership happens when churches are centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ. I praise and thank God for The Village Church’s commitment to glorify God through declaring the gospel of Jesus Christ, training men and women in discipleship, serving families and community in Christ, and planting church planting churches to obey the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.

I am humbled and honored to be prayed for, supported, and blessed by the church that truly believes in the gospel partnership. Center Church core group from its beginning joined in worship with The Village Church for its commission, participation in the passion week, and the celebration of the Advent.

We have seen a group of 8 people grow into a family of 30 plus people for the mission of making everyday disciples. We are sharing the gospel, caring for one another and daring one another to ask what it looks like for each one of us to follow Jesus daily.

We pray that the gospel partnership between The Village Church and Center Church can be used by the Holy Spirit in creating and cultivating a gospel ecosystem in which many healthy and thriving ministries can usher in the kingdom of God in our communities and cities through disciple making and church planting movement to the praise of our God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.