Jesus’ parable of the four soils (Matt. 13) is telling how the Kingdom of God grows.
As we (the visible church) tell people the good news of Christ’s kingdom inaugurated by his incarnation, death, resurrection, ascension, promised return, and of the gift of his Spirit, we are sowing the seed of his Kingdom and we do so praying expectantly: “Thy Kingdom come.” Our (the sower’s) job is to sow the seed, and the seed that falls on the quarter of the good ground (per the parable) will bear fruit. We aren’t able to discern the good soil before we sow, so we sow wherever we can. We sow with the aim to reach out to those who don’t know Jesus (evangelism), as well as to those Christians who can disciple them. We sow by proclaiming the gospel (the faith once for all delivered to the saints–Jude 1), both by preaching/teaching and by personal witnessing as God grants opportunity.
Sowing is done in the assurance that the Word never returns void. Sowing is success because it yields the outcome God willed. Even when our time of sowing yields true faith in the good soil, we may be reaping what was sown previously. We don’t allow ourselves to become discouraged or question God’s methods for sowing, for we know that sinners repent and are transformed/discipled only as the sovereign Spirit graciously grips their lives in response to the Gospel proclaimed. We continue to expend the diligent effort, dependent on God’s grace and strengthened by Christ, to sow for God’s glory.
A church plant in the Denver metro area has been a desire of the South Central Classis (RCUS), expressed and acted upon at numerous Classis meetings, from at least the days of front-range missionary Rev. Dorman Savage to the more recent (but no longer) Mercy Street chapel in south Denver. But in God’s providence, Emmanuel RC, in the western suburb of Westminster, formerly a congregation of the Canadian and American Reformed Churches, was received as a member congregation of the South Central Classis RCUS at the special May 2024 meeting. “Retired” RCUS minister Rev. George Horner and Elder David Salazar have been providing pulpit supply and teaching. The consistory and this yet numerically small group of saints are committed to sowing for Christ’s Kingdom in the Denver area. We meet in the historic Mandalay School building which is available to us 24/7. It’s affordable and suitable for numerical growth. Even though it dates to the late 19th century, it is well maintained by a trust.
Emmanuel is actively seeking a pastor to lead its sowing desires and efforts. Currently, the primary activity is the Sunday morning worship service. Recently, a Tuesday evening Bible study was implemented. The studies are held every second and fourth week, and signs are posted so others in the community are made aware. RCUS pastors serving the congregations in Greeley, Limon, and Colorado Springs are rotating services. The hope is to make Emmanuel’s gospel ministry more familiar and to attract visitors who might be potential new members. There is also a weekly women’s Bible study that has attracted women from the community.
Emmanuel RC covets your prayers for the Lord to bless its gospel ministry with growth, both numerically and financially, its discipleship, and for the Lord to send us the pastor we need. In the meantime, trusting in the Lord who builds his church and as He strengthens and equips us by his Word and Spirit, we are sowing in Denver. Soli Deo Gloria
Rev. George Horner
Westminster, CO