"Partnering with Insight, Delivering Ideas for Increase"
Recently, Randal Taylor, Mark Dunn, Eric Millington, and I attended the Grand Opening of the brand new facilities of Cottonwood Church in Cypress, California. What a campus, and what a lesson in determination, perseverance, and sacrifice. A 3,500 seat auditorium, youth building with a cafe, recreation area and 900 seat auditorium, and a 53,000 state of the art children’s building grace the 32 acre site on Katella Avenue.
The Sunday grand opening services were a great celebration. Yes, that’s plural. The church already has to have multiple services. There were many townspeople, visitors from the television audience, and dignitaries from the surrounding cities in attendance. The great IRONY of the service was that the Mayor of Cypress presented the church with an award and proclamation. This was the city who tried to take the church’s land by imminent domain! Bayless and Janet were gracious and loving as they received the award!
The ten year battle is finally over! Bayless and Janet looked great (see picture). Each talked about how it was God, not man that established these beautiful facilities. They thanked the congregation for being so faithful and for making many sacrifices along the way. Many Pastors and leaders from around the world sent greetings and congratulations via videotape.
One of the most impressive things about the event was the gracious hospitality of the congregation. So many church members volunteered to make the event happen. There was a celebration on the grounds after service Sunday night, where 100,s of the Cottonwood Church faithful made is so easy and comfortable for all the visitors to feel at home. What gracious hosts they were.
So, friend, remember that whatever vision God gives you for your ministry will come to pass, not from your efforts alone, but from the faithfulness of our Father. Like Bayless and Janet Conley and the entire Cottonwood congregation, you may have to persevere and fight the good fight of faith, but eventually you will see the victory!…and it will be sweet!