A couple of Sundays ago, I shared the story of Cornelius from the book of Acts and said that it was a very important event in the early church that brought about change to break the cultural barrier in order for the gospel to move from Jews to Gentiles. Most people don’t like change because change is uncomfortable, and it can be hard. Churches are known for resisting changes. Even when people know in their head that the change would be good and pleasing to God, they still resist.
And yet we all know also that responding to change well is critical to our success in everything we do, especially doing God’s work. Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of his day because they couldn’t read the signs of the times and refused to change. And change doesn’t come easy either. With change comes much uncertainty and unsettledness, if it is a major change.
But during the unsettling times, it will help people to keep moving forward if they can focus on what can or might be done, rather than fixating on events over which they have no control because with change new opportunities are created. Of course, with new opportunities you are going to face new challenges. But when you allow your uncomfortableness and turbulence to push you forward, you will be able enter into uncharted territories and gain new experiences in life.
When we were dealing with a major change as a church three years ago, we were faced with much doubt, unknowns, uncomfortableness and unsettledness. But God told us to stay calm and focus on Him alone and later gave us His assurance through His Word as we were going through a transition as a congregation from Isaiah 43:18-19, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Basically what He said was, “I know what’s going on, and your situation is under My control, and I am going to fix it. You simply watch what I do, and trust and follow My lead.” And God brought many great speakers through our conferences and spoke to us the words that we needed to hear on a timely basis as well. God’s faithfulness was great and amazing.
Also, during this transition time, God challenged every one of us to step up and be involved in the process. He taught us how we should work together as a team rather than depending on a few gifted and capable leaders who are making all decisions and giving directions. He also wanted us to understand that God’s work is not depending all on your gifting, abilities, or intelligence. Rather God wanted everyone to be involved in His work and to give whatever they could give, and work together as a team through acceptance, patience, love and forgiveness. God was making a cultural change in our congregation. And I truly believe you’ve responded well.
I personally want to thank all of you for trusting and believing in our leadership during this transition time, even though none of us were best qualified for doing His work. Our pastoral and support staff worked hard and faithfully, and we functioned well as a team. Our lay leadership was just amazing. They served willingly and sacrificially. But most of all, our God’s been so faithful and gracious to us, and He never let us down.

It’s been an amazing ride. Now the time has come to pass the baton, and God has perfectly orchestrated it. With the new Sr. Pastor expected to come on board, God’s work at NCFC will continue on in even greater measures. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us as we move forward. Once again, thank you all and God bless!

From Pastor Neil’s Heart
February 14, 2016

Except for a few remaining dirty piles of snow here and there, the trace of the blizzard of 2016 is almost all gone.  Looking at the roads in front of my house, it’s hard to believe they were once covered with up to 36 inches of snow, trapping my entire family inside for 5 days.  I enjoy living in a single house on a quiet cul-de-sac except when a monster snow storm hits and the VDOT trucks visit your neighborhood last!  I had to use a vacation day because I couldn’t go in to work. Finally I made an arrangement for Pastor Eugene to pick me up at the nearest plowed road.  Imagine how ecstatic I was when I heard the beeping sound of the plow truck later that night!
I am sure everyone has a story or two to share about the blizzard of 2016.   As much as I desperately wanted to be set free from my ‘house arrest’, I do have to admit I enjoyed the valuable time I got to spend with my family.  Thank God we had food (lots of it!) and electricity to keep us warm and entertained.  We even got to play a fun board game called Sequence!
The VA Campus was closed altogether because of the unplowed parking lot. My family had our own family worship and was greatly inspired by one of Francis Chan’s Youtube messages. I was supposed to preach that Sunday so I had a sermon ready, but I would have felt awkward preaching to just my own family, especially with our dog sitting there as well!  My husband and I also joined the KC Service being broadcast live from the MD Campus via internet.  I was indeed thankful to those who ventured out in the snow to make the live broadcast possible. Rev. Dae Young Kim, the KC Senior Pastor, had to walk to the nearest plowed road to be picked up by one of the elders. No one would have complained had he decided to close the church, but he has emphasized the importance of the corporate Sunday Worship all along, and he was determined to ‘walk the talk.’ 
The church service being affect by the blizzard reminded me of the conversion story of Charles Spurgeon, one of the greatest British preachers of the 19th century.  Though he grew up in a Christian home, he always struggled with his salvation. He felt condemned by God. One winter Sunday morning, the 15-year-old Spurgeon left home to go to church, but due to a major snow storm, he had to take a detour onto a side street. There he entered a small church to escape the snow storm.  Only a handful of people were sitting inside, and an unknown substitute preacher nervously stepped into the pulpit and read his text, Isaiah 45:22 “Turn to me and be saved,  all you ends of the earth;  for I am God, and there is no other.”
What happened next was recorded in Spurgeon’s Autobiography as follows:
 “He had not much to say, thank God, for that compelled him to keep on repeating his text, and there was nothing needed—by me, at any rate except his text.… Then I had this vision—not a vision to my eyes, but to my heart. I saw what a Savior Christ was.… Now I can never tell you how it was, but I no sooner saw whom I was to believe than I also understood what it was to believe, and I did believe in one moment.”
The sovereign God had orchestrated the events of that day to deliver Spurgeon from his misery and call him as his instrument for the next 40 years.  We serve the same amazing God. Whether we are going through a monstrous snow storm in life or enjoying a warm sunny day, we should remember “that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Rom 8:28)

From Pastor Sara’s Heart
February 7, 2016