Dear First Pres,
I wasn’t with you in person, but I had the privilege of watching Sunday’s service online this week. We launched our new sermon series called God Is. And as we considered the good news that God is our Father in heaven, I’m so glad that you got to hear a bit more about the way that our heavenly Father changed Reza’s life and then the life of his family. (If you missed it, you can watch the testimony and sermon on our website.) Reza didn’t even believe in God anymore when he first arrived in our sanctuary. It was partially because the view of God that had been taught to him was a God who was not loving, only holy; a God who was not personal, only powerful. But that all changed when Reza joined us for worship, experienced the presence of God, and heard the good news of Jesus. Now, Reza knows the heavenly Father through Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Hallelujah!
But God’s work of transformation didn’t stop with Reza. Reza came to the United States as a political refugee. He fled his country in a rush to escape imprisonment or worse. When he left, he wasn’t able to bring his wife and two young daughters. Their hope was that they would be able to follow soon, but the risks have been too great. So, for the past six years, they’ve been waiting, hoping, and praying that an opportunity would arise for them to be reunited with each other. All they’ve been able to do these six years is communicate via phone & video. But as Reza began to share what the heavenly Father had done in his life, things changed for his wife and daughters. One by one they came to faith in Jesus as well. As Reza shared during worship, he now has a Christian family. Again, hallelujah!
It’s an example of why it’s so important for people to know who God really is. There are so many misimpressions of God, even in our own hearts, but especially amongst our friends and family who are disconnected from the heart of God. Our summer series on the character and attributes of God is meant to help us with that. Can you imagine one of your friends or neighbors or family members who doesn’t know how much God loves them, who doesn’t know God’s heart for them, having the same experience as Reza and his family? God’s work of transformation in Reza’s life took off with a simple invitation from Melanie. May the Lord stir in our hearts to invite others into our community so that they might also come to know the lavish love of their heavenly Father.
But, one more thing, part of the reason I wanted you to hear Reza’s story and meet his beautiful family (via video) is so that you would be praying for them. It’s not appropriate for me to share all the details in this public letter, but there seems to be an opportunity forming for them to join Reza here in Fresno. We’re asking the Lord to make that so. I encourage you to join us in that prayer. But also, when the Lord finally brings them here, I’m expecting the First Pres family to give them a big, generous, and loving welcome. Only the Lord knows how He is going to use Reza’s story and family for His Kingdom to come in Fresno as it is in heaven, but I’m so glad the Lord has allowed us to be part of it.
Blessings,
Pastor Jeremy
P.S. This Sunday evening, at 7:00 pm, I'll be hosting an informational meeting about the 2022 Biblical Tour of Israel with Dr. Brian Schultz. If you’re at all interested in this “bucket list” trip, please join me for a brief meeting to learn more about it. 7pm this Sunday, June 27, in the Hub.
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