Celebrating What Matters Most | No. 5
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 20 hours ago
One of the great benefits of living here in Southern California is enjoying In-N-Out cheeseburgers. I believe they are the best cheeseburgers made—not to mention their customer service. It is second to none. Today, as I picked up my 3x3 protein-style burger with fries, the three people who helped me were young, happy, courteous people who truly wanted to make my cheeseburger experience the best it could be! These are the kinds of things that matter to me. I am a simple man.
Last Sunday night, March 8, I attended the revival service at Redlands Ark Church of the Nazarene. My friend and former DS, Kerry Willis, was the evangelist. He mentioned In-N-Out cheeseburgers. I guess he experienced In-N-Out for the first time with Pastor Kevin O’Connor. Pastor Kevin showed him the Scripture that In-N-Out puts on every cup. We have a picture here.
Pastor Kerry talked about the powerful and simple Scripture of John 3:16. Even many secular people know John 3:16. But he emphasized something important—don’t forget what Jesus said in John 3:17:
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”
Jesus told this to one man—the Pharisee Nicodemus. If you only knew these two Scriptures, you could be saved and help many other people find Jesus.
We are in the season of What Matters Most. Before this next newsletter comes out, we will all have celebrated Resurrection Sunday. Of all the events that have ever happened in our world, the resurrection of Jesus Christ—without a doubt—matters most to us and to the whole world. Even in our blessed denomination, where there are many debates taking place, I do not hear anyone debating the validity of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Remember, dear pastors and church leaders, that during this Easter season lost and broken people will find their way to your church. Please make them a priority! It could be that during this season they find faith in Jesus Christ, and their testimony could go on to win thousands—even millions—to the saving knowledge of our Savior, Jesus.
This is what really matters.
I pray you have great music, perhaps a wonderful Easter Sunday breakfast, an Easter egg hunt, and awesome fellowship. All of these things matter. But nothing matters more than the church proclaiming that Christ is alive, and in that proclamation calling people to full faith in the Risen Savior.
I’m trying to bring updates and snapshots of what matters most across our district. If you have something you believe matters most and would like us to share with others, please send me a picture and a short description of what is happening.
Here are pictures of people giving their lives to Christ at altars around our district. There are also pictures of our San Bernardino Cornerstone (3rd Street) Church encouraging and feeding the homeless on Wednesday nights. They have been seeing 60–80 people come to hear a message about Christ and receive a wonderful meal and meaningful fellowship.
I exclaim to you—these things matter most!
I so appreciate each of you pastors and leaders. If you have not already done so, please sign up for our PROCLAIM our District Team Day, which will be held on Saturday, March 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dr. David Graves will be our special speaker. We will also share updates about District Assembly and other important information for all of us on the Southern California District.
And maybe most importantly, we will get to spend a few hours together in fellowship and encouragement—and enjoy a free lunch. Please sign up today.
Register here: https://socalnaz.regfox.com/district-team-day-26
As Sherri and I close in on our second year with you, I want to tell you how blessed I have been by the encouragement we have received from your churches and from our pastors. As a team of ministers and leaders, we have the opportunity to win souls in one of the most diverse and incredible places in the world.
God has given us this opportunity.
Let us be faithful until He returns again.
In His Risen Power,
Shawn Siegfreid
District Superintendent
Southern California District Church of the Nazarene