Going Full Circle

This past weekend we went back to Los Angeles to celebrate Michael and Tina Mata's 25^th wedding anniversary. The Matas were a significant couple in our lives. When Julie graduated from PLNU, she ended up living with the Matas when she moved to LA. Julie and I were dating at the time and like many dating couples, we looked to the married folks around us as examples of what we did and did not want for our future. The Matas were and are a great example of what a couple who are serving God and His kingdom can do. Michael is at World Vision now working on US Urban initiatives, Tina is involved in the youth ministry of their church as well as being a mother and grandmother to the three children that they adopted through the foster care system. They are an amazing couple and still are in love with each other after 25 years of marriage and service to God. The line of the night was when Michael looked at Tina and was expressing his love for her and said: "Everyday is an adventure because I never know what you are going to do."

I am thankful for my wife and kids and I am thankful to be a part of a journey where every day is an adventure. Sunday morning we were asked to speak to 40 PLNU students who were preparing for a year of ministry back on campus. We met on the roof of Union Rescue Mission, the students had spent the night sleeping on the roof. They were spending some time in LA as a way to prepare. It took me back 15 years to when Julie and I moved to the city and were excited and ready to do whatever God had for us. It reminded us of being a part of a great church, Central City Community Church. Our time with the students was a great reminder of the importance of what we have done in the past and what we are doing here in San Francisco.

Golden Gate Community Church is a church with a mission: To seek Justice, Love and Serve others and Walk Humbly with God. I believe that we are in store for a great year of growth and movement forward. I believe that God wants us to be a community that has a positive impact on the Richmond District, San Francisco, California and the World. I also believe that we are called to be prepared for the unexpected, to go with the movement of God and what God is doing. I would ask that you would continue to join us on our journey together. I would ask that you would begin by praying for Julie, the kids (Jake, Grace and Ean) and me; then continue to pray for the leaders and staff of GGCC. Finally, I ask that you would pray that we, as a church community, would see this time as an adventure. That we would wake up each day not knowing what God is going to do and embrace this with joy and celebration.

 

Peace

Edwin