Philippians 1:3-6 “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.” (New American Standard Bible)
We have been at GOC since 2002 and have seen the people in the group change many times due to the nature of college ministry. Even though the particular people have changed the spiritual life has not. Thanking God is appropriate, because only He can provide such a work of grace throughout the years.
Humility. Consistent humility before our Lord is exemplified at GOC. Whether it is selfless service, teachableness or submission to leadership, the students have often taught me much of what humility truly looks like.
Devotion. Consistent personal study of God’s Word, meditation on God’s Word, clearly understanding God’s Word and commitment to God’s Word are that for which our students are known. What the outside world does not necessarily see is our commitment to prayer and the labor that is devoted to personal and group prayer.
Faithfulness. Specific areas of ministry have flourished through the years…evangelism, prayer, service and helps (expressed through “fishing”, Skid Row, Communion Clean-up, Missionary House Clean-up, STM, etc. The list goes on and on). Not only GOC, but our church and other ministries have come to rely on the members of GOC to serve our Lord where needed.
Love. Love has been a consistent attribute displayed at GOC. Displays of God’s Love have gone out to those with sudden and severe illnesses, people in severe financial and emotional hardship, etc. Also, unique to the children of our Lord, displays of God’s love to the unsaved and unfaithful are commonplace at GOC.
Leadership. All of these characteristics lend themselves to leadership, not only at GOC and Grace Church, but also in our Lord’s church at large. We often visit churches where the faithful, humble, devoted ministry of GOC alumni are looked to as examples to follow.
Fellowship. All of this along with a clear understanding of God’s Word allows a intense manifestation of Biblical Fellowship…over-simplified, that means friendship and fun.
In all of this, none of us has done anything except to be available to grow, learn and serve as our Lord provides and directs. For each of us, our presence at GOC is a gift from God, as is our basic qualification of salvation through faith alone. GOC itself is a gift from God through the faithful ministry of Grace Church. Even Grace Church is a gift from God. My prayer is that our Lord would be pleased with what He has wrought in each child of His at GOC…including me.
-Paul Ushijima
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