Meet Your Pastor

 Rev. Roberta Goodman

I COUNT IT A PRIVILEGE!

I eagerly look forward to getting to know you – who you are as individuals and who you are as a church family. Being next door neighbors with you during my pastorate in Mercedes, I’ve had the privilege of meeting some of you, and hearing about and seeing some of your ministries. I have seen some of your mission work at La Mesa and in Mexico, your Vacation Bible Schools, your hosting of District and Emmaus meetings, and music and drama ministry. I remember participating in the clergy team leading a District Prayer Service with you just before the beginning of the Iraq war. We’ve been blessed to have Jim Greenwood preach several times for the Mercedes congregation. And, we’ve joined with you in many prayer concerns that link both churches through friendship and family connections.

What a special honor it is to be called to pastor a congregation that already has such inroads into my heart and being. I count myself most blessed. When I was in High School, I began my first day of class “tell-me-about-yourself” essays with the line: “I love God, and people, and the combination of the two.” Even at that age, I was astounded at the brilliant diversity of personalities and gifts among Christians. And, I considered it “so cool” that God let me live a life where I came into contact with so many extraordinary people.

 I want you to know that I already consider you part of the extraordinary. It’s not every congregation that will make such extraordinary commitments to missions. It’s not every congregation that will allow God to reshape them, rearrange them, and transform them into two worshiping bodies that offer two different worship and music styles and tempos so that more people may be reached with the love of Christ. It’s not every church that shows such intentional ministry to shut-ins and those in need of that special boost that the visits of friends bestows.

You are extraordinary, and I truly consider it a privilege to be called to walk with you as you walk with Christ. What a great job!—to be in the midst of so many people who are “going about, doing good.” Acts 10:37-38 says, “You know what has happened… how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good…because God was with him.”

God is with you, and I COUNT IT A PRIVILEGE that I get to be with you too! See you in church Sunday!

Pastor Roberta