March 5thFrank Berto - MCBC Pastoral Highlight
Frank Berto ~ Living Hope Christian Fellowship ~ MCBC Pastoral Highlight
Living Hope continues to try and reach our community with the Good News of Jesus. Some of the ways we are working:
· Spring Day Camp for the neighborhood
· Alpha Course ongoing
· Distributing the Gospel of John (Punjabi Translation)
· Prepping for our Week-long Vacation Bible School in the summer
Like most churches in the Lower Mainland we are challenged by the cost of living and the housing realities young families confront, that force many of them to move either up the valley or to other provinces.
We remain convinced that God has called Living Hope to minister to this community at this time – but it is easy to get distracted by circumstances and news.
As I was worrying about this recently, God spoke to me through his words to a ‘timid and inadequate’ Moses as he was called to lead his people to freedom. Moses was telling God how he was not up to the task and this is how the conversation went:
So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” And God said, “I will be with you.” Genesis 3:10-12 NIV
I take great comfort in that truth – ‘God is with me’ in all He has called me (and us) to do in building His Kingdom.
Living Hope has also begun a Senior Pastor Search as I will be retiring at the end of May... what’s next I am not sure – I am in ‘discernment’ mode.
For all of us who have served Jesus for a long time, I don’t believe we ever ‘retire’ from serving in his kingdom. God has graciously called and gifted me as a pastor and afforded me the opportunity of years of formal ministry education and experience.
I am sure there are others in a similar situation. As we age our energy levels diminish, but our experience and wisdom and knowledge of Him grows deeper. And the church of Jesus Christ needs the wisdom and service of Seniors – so – no retiring only a different form of service for all us old folks! J Retirement is not play-time, but new service time.
4 Fun Facts about Frank Berto
1. Retiring date - May 31-2025
2. Favourite quote Retirement is not play-time, but new service time.
3. For fun - play guitar & garden
4. True fact - I came to faith on my first day working on Whistler Mtn, Jan 1982
In all these changes, I take great comfort in that truth – “God is with me” (Gen. 3:10-12) in all He has called me (and us) to do in building His Kingdom.
- Frank Berto ~ Living Hope Christian Fellowship