By Gregg Boll

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling places of the Most High.” – Psalm 46:1-4

With the overabundance of news and the media saturation of our lives, a person could easily become jaded and discouraged with the sad state of affairs of our nation. The earth is changing at neck-break speed and most of it is not for the good. We see ample proof of our nation’s steady slide off of the moral precipice, spiritually, morally, even rationally. We are bombarded by news of natural disaster, senseless murders, racial strife and unrest in our cities. If that fails to rattle you, the news of ISIS’ brutal campaign with its resulting refugee crisis and the relentless persecution of believers ought to do it. Like the Psalmist, we may feel that the level of chaos, lawlessness and division have reached such inflated levels they could be metaphorically compared to the “earth changing” and the “mountains slipping into the heart of the sea”. The waters of troubled, fallen humanity roar and foam around us, they cause the mountains to quake. How is a believer to live out their faith in the Lord in the midst of such a crazy world?
David understood how we feel in times like this. After all, he knew what it was like to be on the run from Saul and the whole Israeli army, bent on snuffing out his life. Or for his son to betray him, usurp his throne forcing him to flee his palace in Jerusalem just to stay alive. Here’s the good news. If David could manage to keep his faith in the goodness and sovereignty of God in the midst of such dark, dire circumstances, so can we. The troubling times we live in test, purify and reveal the quality of our faith. It is only when things are bad that we learn that God is our refuge and strength, a present help in time of need. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God and it is the gospel and grace in which we are privileged to know and live in every day because of our relationship with the risen Lord. We can say, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Because He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,” …we can confidently say, “THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?”
Whether you are a pastor, staff member or church member, persistence and perseverance may be the most important thing we do in the midst of this amoral, immoral, post-Christian America we live. It is not our success but our faithfulness that Paul said was all important to the Lord. We are all stewards of the gospel. Blue River-Kansas City stands with you to support you in any way we can, both materially and spiritually.

We provide consultation for churches and search committees, can help you set up a process for reaching and making disciples, and we can connect your mission team with others needing ministry or groups wanting to do ministry with your church.

We offer VBS worker training, host an annual preaching conference and plan to host a worship leaders and small groups/Bible teacher’s conference next year.

We offer a monthly gathering for pastors who find themselves in a declining church and want to bring back life and growth.

These are just a few ways we can serve you. It really doesn’t make sense to be a lone ranger church or minister in the midst of the most cooperative, collaborative denomination the world has ever known. Cooperation is a core value of Southern Baptists. Be sure you are a Southern Baptist in practice, not just in name. Don’t hesitate to call us if you need encouragement, help or material assistance of any kind.