Isaiah 6:8 – Then I heard the Lord asking, "Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?" I said, "Here I am. Send me." (NLT)

Sixty years ago, four families, each with three or four children, left the comfort of their well-established home church in Mesa, Arizona, USA, to establish a mission in a sparsely settled area east of Phoenix. The land had been set aside by the state denominational office for another purpose. When that didn't develop as expected, this group was allowed to take it over — debt-free — to start the mission.

In those years, this area was definitely still part of the Wild West: cactus, desert, horses, cowboys, and dirt. They erected a small church building, but had no access to water, so two outhouses were set up. The parking lot remained unpaved for many years. Eventually, a sanctuary and more classrooms were built. The church and the surrounding area continued to grow, and recently, we celebrated 60 years of witness in our community. I say "we" because this is my home church.

Over the 60 years, despite the growing pains that most churches experience, the church has persisted in being a light for Christ in a community that has increasingly grown apathetic to the gospel. We are surrounded by senior citizens' housing and 55+ recreational vehicle parks, so our congregation is primarily older folks. But in recent years, we have started a children's program, a Resource Centre, and a food bank. This year, we started hosting a pregnancy centre. Families with children come to Sunday services, and most Sundays, we have adult visitors who come to find out what our church has to offer: solid Bible teaching morning and evening, a friendly welcome, good music, air-conditioning, and the occasional potluck dinner — we know how to do them well!

All this happened because four families stepped out of their comfort zone 60 years ago, following God's leading.

Isaiah 58:11a – The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. (NIV)

I wonder how those four families felt in 1960 and the ensuing years. I imagine that they left close friends and a church building that had a real bathroom and maybe even air-conditioning — Arizona summers are brutal. Did they feel, like the Israelites, that they had been sent to a "sun-scorched land" and just wanted to go back to their home church? But God honoured their sacrifice and the results continue to this day.

Galatians 6:9 – Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (NIV)

They persevered, as we must persevere when we are in what feels like dry and dusty situations. One of the original ladies (now 100 years old) was at our celebration; she has seen the results of her perseverance. We may never see ours, but we must not give up. Let us "press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." (Philippians 3:14 NLT)

Prayer: Father, help us to think less of ourselves and more about doing Your will, whether it's in a comfortable situation or a "sun-scorched land". Strengthen our frames and help us not to become weary of doing good. Amen.

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About the author:

Sharon Cook <craftercook@gmail.com>
Apache Junction, Arizona, USA
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