I am honored and blessed to be called and appointed as the new pastor of The First Methodist Church of Clewiston! We have started a new journey together and I am happy we represent the new Global Methodist Church (I invite everyone to learn more at globalmethodist.org). We are stepping out in faith and victory in Jesus; He walks with us and leads us because we belong to him in his Body.
As your new pastor, I believe my calling is to be a shepherd who follows the Good Shepherd, my Lord Jesus Christ. God has sent me to lead, feed and protect the Good Shepherd’s flock, so that we might be more fruitful and multiply. As the Rev. Keith Boyette said in his recent GMC newsletter, “Multiplication does not happen without visionary, Spirit-filled leadership.”
In 1st Corinthians 11:1 Paul writes, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” Biblical leadership means to pursue Christ by keeping our eyes on where he is going. God doesn’t want shepherds who try to get in back of the flock and push them forward into the Promised Land. Jesus will walk with us. He leads every step of our journey together. We are comforted as we keep our eyes fixed on the Good Shepherd. Psalm 23 says God guides us, restores us and comforts us in our fears, so that “goodness and mercy will follow” after those who fully trust in his eternal care.
And I believe that as we get more hungry for the Truth, we will discover more about Jesus. He said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). People who get hungry, naturally know they should eat, and they want to eat good things. Feeding becomes natural when we care about what the Good Shepherd wants us to be filled with. Good food nourishes and fills us, inside and out. God’s Word nurtures a thankful heart, teaching us good things and blessing our lives.
Lastly, God wants to protect us. When Jesus saw the wolves coming at his sheep, he spoke this Truth: “Satan has desired to sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith will not fail” (Luke 22:31-32). Our faith will often be tested, sometimes even persecuted, but do you know Jesus is praying for you? He is cheering you on, encouraging you to press on to the high calling, so never stop believing! Faith unleashed in who Jesus is will always release divine protection. As your faith is fueled by the Holy Spirit, Heaven’s impenetrable firewall is your protection. Look into Romans 8:28-39 and discover God wants to make us “more than conquerors!”.
Come worship with us on Sundays as we pursue Jesus, and we will discern the Holy Spirit’s fresh vision for our future together!
Pastor Jonathan Singleton