Paul composed his letter to the Philippian church from prison. Based on his words in the letter, Paul is suffering mightily and wondering if his death is near. If it is true, as some scholars now believe, that Paul was in prison in Ephesus when he wrote this letter (not Rome), this also would have been a time of deep pain and emotional turmoil for him as churches like the one in Corinth had all but turned their back on him. And yet, the opening words of his letter are filled with joy. “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.” It is obvious Paul’s fond memories with and ongoing support from the Philippian Church were a balm to his soul during a very dark time. And thus, we see Paul’s heartfelt desires on display as he encourages the church in Philippi to carry the torch forward in his absence.

The Reimagine Initiative is an exciting opportunity for Grace Church to build on the tremendous legacy of those who have come before. As we improve our building and invest in our relationship with the “ones” God has laid on our heart, let us pray, along with Paul, that our community can “overflow more and more” with the love of Christ (1:9), and that God will continue his work among us that began over 30 years ago.