Dear Ridgeview Bible Church Family,

I am very excited to begin serving the church full time in the coming weeks. My first official day will be September 30, 2023. I am grateful to the elders for providing me some time in my current role at Chadron State to help my department make staffing transitions. Between now and that time, I plan to help with preaching and continuing the work of a lay elder, adding pastoral tasks as time allows. Liz and I appreciate your prayers through this busy season.

I believe our church has two needs in the coming months. These needs are not new. We have been challenged this way as a church throughout the summer.

Pray for Unified Growth in Christ

Please pray for the body of Christ, that our hearts would be, “knit together in love” (Colossians 2:2). God gives good gifts, and in Christ, He offers grace for us to love one another in a way that both brings us comfort and glorifies Jesus. May we be, “knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ” (Colossians 2:2). Pray that we would love one another under the banner of Christ. The fruit of being knit together is that our confidence in and love for Jesus will grow. As we grow closer together, Christ will be seen more clearly, leading to worship.

Look to Christ, the Unchanging One

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Isn’t it a wonderful comfort that Jesus, whom we serve now, is the same Jesus whom we will bow before in glory. Jesus is a rock. He is an anchor, sure and steady. If a church leader is faithful, it is Jesus who holds Him fast to uphold the truth (Hebrews 13:7). If strange, new teachings about Jesus arise, we return to Jesus who keeps us on course, our true north (Hebrews 13:9). He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. By God's grace we do not stand on uncertainty as a church. We have the Word of God. We have the changeless Christ, the Word made flesh (John 1:14).

I love you all and am praying for you.

In Christ, 

Sam