Third Lens is a part of building a lot of structures – orphanages, homes, community centers, churches, clinics. We are also a part of building spiritually in these places. It is about more than the bricks and mortar. It goes beyond the concrete slabs and metal roofs. The building we are a part of is to further the Kingdom and empower ministries to create places where people encounter Jesus. A friend was sharing some of Hebrews 3 the other day and it related so much to building for the Kingdom.
Hebrews 3:1-6
“Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, who we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.”
God is the builder of everything. The work we do would not happen without his help, guidance, and provision. We, his people, are his house. He lives within us. He is greater than any building we construct. The things we do build become great only when they are filled with the Holy Spirit, by the people who house the Holy Spirit within them. And then these places become places where those who don’t know Christ are able to experience him. As we pursue a heavenly calling we fix our eyes on our God, the Master Builder, and become servants in our Father’s house.
I have the opportunity to go back to Cuba again next week. Before I left in January, the Pastor said that the new church building would be a great place because of the help of AUMC and TL, but ultimately it is going to be a great place because of the people who fill it. They are full of the Holy Spirit and hold firmly to the confidence and hope in which they glory. Because of that, they have seen God’s hand at work in their Church. They have seen him shine his light of glory on their Church that he is building.
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” Isaiah 60:1
If you didn’t catch the post last week with an update from Pastor Enrique about their construction here it is:
The church in Patria is making quick progress on construction! They completed foundations and started their block walls. The Bishop came on Monday to lay the first one and they have already finished 4 rows. It’s exciting to see their faith and enthusiasm. They are excited for our team to come down and work with them on the project too.
Pastor Enrique sent this picture that someone took of the construction site. It is not a camera effect. This light beam is shining on the first block they laid. We serve a pretty awesome God, who is literally lighting up this church. Continue to join us in prayer over the Church, their construction, and our trip and the relationships and experiences that will come through the week. The Spirit is so alive and moving in Patria. The new church building is going to be so full of the Spirit because the people who will worship in it are full of the Spirit. It’s the same Spirit we all have access to if we seek and stay ready to witness when he moves.
There is no denying God’s hand at work in Patria. He is shining brightly on the work his people are doing for his glory there!
On another one of our projects in Jonestown, MS, we are seeing God move through ministry to transform the community both physically and spiritually. But God Ministries is building and renovating buildings, and also building spiritually and renovating souls. The project will empower the community to improve their physical environments as well as grow in their faith and fellowship.
In Hebrews 3 it starts out by saying “brothers and sisters, who share in a heavenly calling”. There is a unity that comes from sharing in that heavenly calling. The Holy Spirit unites the body of Christ as we live out that calling. We are brothers and sisters in the body. Much of what Third Lens does involves connecting people and creating community and partnerships within the construction processes. With Christ and his calling on our lives at the center of what we do, God creates the connection and the partnerships that make his kingdom come possible. We are constantly looking forward to growing both existing and new relationships with ministry partners, industry partners, and the people we are all called to serve.
“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.” – 1 Corinthians 1:10
Through our common lens of scripture that allows us to view the world as God intended, we find unity and power in the body to carry out our heavenly calling to love and serve our God and his children around the world.
