Bethel Church of Houston

"The Cross" by Jim Tour

A recent book addresses the troubling reality of functional atheists: those who believe God exists, but live as though he doesn't. Today's familiar narrative reminds us of the infinitely intricate matrix of God's working his purposes, manifesting His divine Providence in all things. Doesn't that include your life this week?

The events of the Exodus reveal and detail a sort of contest - one of cosmic proportions. And, in some ways, it continues down to today, and even plays out in our own daily lives.

The God of the ancient Hebrews is the Father of Jesus, our Savior. So we can learn from how He led, provided, chastened, and delivered in the Exodus. These lessons teach about His promise-keeping character. Who doesn't need that during these unstable days, in our unstable lives?

As we enter exciting new season here at Bethel, including a new series based on the events of Exodus, let's review the key players in the history of God's people through Genesis, finding parallels in our lives; we too are waiting on God's promises!

"Remember Our Creator"

Eccelsiastes 12:1-8

Dr. Steve Sullivan

For 10 years Rufus Smith IV has been the Sr. Pastor of The City of Refuge (COR) Church, an intentionally integrated, biblically centered, and socially active congregation with a vision to “blend suburban and urban believers” with all of its attending connotations and challenges. His aspiration is to be an effective teacher, preacher, and thought-leader for the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In response to the “healing” aspect of the gospel and as an extension of COR, he is also founder and CEO of The Forge for Families (FFF), a community development center in the greater 3rd Ward community of Houston. FFF uses athletics, after-school enrichment, adult life-skills, and summer entrepreneurial and leadership development as a means to the spiritual end of empowering single parent families and indigenous leaders through proactive and reactive strategies and activities. FFF, though separate in board and budget, is in perfect harmony with the vision of the City of Refuge Church.

Pastor Smith is a member of the National Outreach Committee of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and chairman of the Urban Ministry�"s Taskforce and Church Planting. In addition, he has been the lead chaplain for the NBA Houston Rockets for 3 years and advises on four other local and national boards.

Pastor Smith studied at Houston Baptist University majoring in Theology and Psychology. He maintains a very active traveling and speaking schedule. He also loves baseball, reading, and walking. However, his claim to fame is his wife Jacqueline of 25 years and his three children: Ruth Abigail (graduate of Furman University of S.C.), Rufus V (attending Howard University in Washington, D.C., and Rhoda (attending Agnes Scott in Georgia).

Too often parents are perceived as, at bets, after-thoughts, or at worst, hinderances to their children's serf-expression. On this day our cuulture designates for honoring our moms, let's consider God's take on what parenting should look like.

Ebola, Anthrax, chemical weapons; we've heard a lot about danger the past few years. There are also spiritual infections to beware of...virulent strains that ravage unsuspecting followers of Christ, and even whole churches.

Too often church leadership gets too much credit for success in ministry. More often than not, the ture labor, sacrifice, and investment takes place down "in the trenches." Is that where you are?