The Joy of Being God's Spiritual House

Church family:
What a joy it is to enter this new season together as God’s people at GCT. For fifteen years, the Lord has faithfully led us, and He has brought us to this moment for His purposes and His glory. As we prepare to move into our new church building (hopefully June 28), let us not simply enter a new space; let us embrace a renewed call to live as God’s holy people, set apart by His grace and united in Christ to be His church.

There is no greater honor on earth than belonging to the body of Jesus Christ, His church. We are not merely a group of individuals who gather to the same place for worship. We are God’s chosen people, a holy nation, a royal priesthood, a people for His own possession, called out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9-10). That means GCT is not just a place we go, but a people we are. We are a church formed by the mercy of God, gathered around the Word of God, and sent out to reflect the glory of God.

As we move into our new building, let us remember who we are and what we have been called to do. This is a place where God’s people will gather to worship with reverence and joy, to hear the Word declared with faithfulness, to pray with dependence, to serve one another in love, and to bear witness to the grace of Jesus Christ together. Every song matters. Every prayer matters. Every act of service matters. Every person matters. God has joined us together as one body for His glory, and because He calls us His “spiritual house," this new building is a powerful tool in His hands for us to offer spiritual sacrifices unto Him (1 Peter 2:4-5).

We are more than a building, even a beautiful one. The church is a people. So, as we enter this new chapter, let us do so with humility, gratitude, and expectation. Let us continue to be a church marked by love, holiness, warmth, hospitality, unity, generosity, and gospel faithfulness. Let us love one another deeply, welcome the stranger gladly, honor Christ joyfully, and live as a visible display of His kingdom in Hampstead and around the world.

Rejoice and give thanks as we move toward 1099 Hoover Road! The Lord has been good to us! What an honor to belong to Him, what a privilege to be His people, and what a joy to serve Him together as GCT inside and outside of our new building.

See you Sunday, gathered as God’s spiritual house: Steve