Thank You and Farewell, GBC

The following is my address to the body of Christ at Grace Bible Church on my final Sunday fellowshipping with them:

"I would like to take a quick minute to say thank you and farewell to my church family. I started attending grace at 9 months old. I wasn't dedicated here, however my mom informed me that Mrs. Culbertson came over to welcome our family to Grace and I christened here by throwing up all over her.

"But in the baby dedication we do as a church family, we promise to allow God to work through this community, the body of Christ, to raise a child in the fullness of the Gospel. I praise God, I thank God that by God's grace I am a product of that. Drowned in the love and unity of Grace Bible and surrounded by the Gospel. So many of you have played a part in that and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for that. God through all of you has made me who I am today.

"Galatians 6:2 tells us to "bear one anothers burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." You have borne my burdens many times. Maybe more so, you have borne my parents burdens by watching me and teaching me and loving me throughout my life.

"I love this place, but I love this church even more. This building is awesome, this organization does some good stuff. But that is not the church. You are the church. And I am a product of God working through the church to further His gospel, make known Christ, and promote His kingdom throughout the earth. Thank you so much for everything. I envy your prayers as I move forward, and know that you all will be in mine. Thank you."

I will certainly miss Grace Bible Church after 22 years of sharing in their fellowship. I am only beginning to understand the full impact God has had on my life through the body at GBC. I will most likely see many of my brothers and sisters from GBC again. If not on Earth, then once again fellowshipping and worshipping our Savior in that wonderful eternity. And it may not be until then that they and I realize how God has used that community to impact my life and the world for the glory of Jesus Christ. 

Farewell, Grace Bible Church.