HI Buffalo Cov!

The building in which we worship as Buffalo Covenant Church is 40 years old. While I am no pro on its history, I understand that while there have been various small remodels (lobby, classrooms, etc.) the basic structure of the sanctuary and parking space have remained about the same. In forty years of life and ministry, the church has maintained with its pew and its limited parking. All around us during that time things have changed in Buffalo. Buildings and businesses and homes and parking lots have come and gone and been upgraded, improved and kept up with the times. Praise God for the faithful people who have worked and given so that we can have the beautiful church and sanctuary in which we worship. We are able to worship today because of the love and sacrifice of others before us.  And now we want to do the same for the generation after us.

Operation Fishnet is about "preparing the nets for ministry". In Matthew 4:21 Jesus saw James & John in their father's fishing boat. They were "preparing their nets" (Mt. 4:21). Just a couple of verses earlier, in Matthew 4:19, Jesus called to Peter and Andrew with these words, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." Now He does the same for James and John. They thought they were preparing their nets to catch fish, but Jesus had something much bigger in mind. 

Jesus is still calling people to prepare the nets for ministry. Jesus is calling Buffalo Covenant Church to "make disciples" (Mt. 28:19). The remodel project and Operation Fishnet is part of our obedience to help do just that. The goal is to make sure that we have room for the people who want to come. That is the primary reason for doing it, to help us to do a better job at 'fishing for people' by having the space needed to do the task at hand. 

I'm sure that James and John mended their nets after every night of fishing. Natural wear and tear would require them to sew up those nets and get them ready again. Buffalo Covenant has to do the same thing. Forty years! of wear and tear takes its toll. It's time to upgrade, and spruce up, and improve, and to keep on striving for excellence in our goal to be fishers of men. More room for people and their cars; better lighting; more open lobby space; all these are small but important parts of the task.

The most important part, however, is to make sure that our hearts are right before God. Do we have the heart of a disciple maker? Do we care about the lost? Do we love the people of Buffalo enough to go through the trouble and effort to make it happen? Are we willing to help donate to the cause for the sake of those yet to reach for Christ?

This week you will receive an envelope from the church leadership. Read it carefully and prayerfully, and then ask God how He would have you help with Operation Fishnet.

For Christ and His Kingdom,

Pastor Bill