But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. (Acts 1:8)
After his resurrection, Jesus entrusted his mission to the disciples. He promised them the power of the Holy Spirit. He also gave them a geographic mandate. The result was the planting of vital churches throughout the Roman world.
We like to think of Baldwin Park as our "Jerusalem." We worship there, but it's not an end in itself. Before Baldwin Park existed, the area around Lake Baldwin was a Naval Training Center. Men and women were trained and then sent out around the world. Today, we see Baldwin Park as a community in need of Jesus. And, we see it as a place to equip believers to fulfill God's purposes wherever He has placed them. The "gathered" church that worships in Baldwin Park is also the "scattered" church that lives and works throughout the city, in Winter Park, Maitland, Oviedo, Orlando, Longwood, College Park, Thornton Park, and other neighborhoods.
So our Baldwin Park location is not an end, it's a means to reaching our Judea, our Samaria, and the ends of the earth, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Thank God for the people who live around the city who dreamed of a church in Baldwin Park before we ever existed. Thank God for their prayers, their time, and their resources.
Thank God for the trust relationships that our church has with the organizations and businesses that are shaping Baldwin Park. Pray that this trust continues and grows.
Pray for the slow and steady growth of the kingdom among the 10,000 or so people in Baldwin Park. Pray for growing bridges of connection through relationships, parties, events, our worship service, and creative media.
Pray for the growing number of people around the city who worship at Lake Baldwin Church. Pray that God would use LBC to equip believers throughout the city, nurturing a network of small groups in homes and businesses around the city.
Pray for the heart-softening work of the Holy Spirit on behalf of the many individuals and families who need a genuine taste of the gospel. Pray for genuine conversions, and for a growing number of Christ-followers.
Pray for Audobon Elementary and Glenridge Middle School. Pray that students and families will be drawn to SPLASH and our youth ministry.
Pray for business owners in Baldwin Park, such as Vincent and Marilyn, French owners of the new Cafe 906. Pray for the "good" of these businesses, and for the openness of business owners to the good news of Jesus.