In a few short days, this church will begin, Lord-willing, the first full year in its history. I marked on our calendar the date of our first meeting, which was a Thursday, July 2. July 19 was the first Sunday of services. It doesn’t matter that much, but I’m marking July 2 as our start. It could have been the date of our first baptism, because then we truly had members join for the first time. This first year is a very important year. Each member is important. The strength of the church will be measured by the cumulative strength of everyone. One person’s weakness makes the church weaker and one person’s strength makes the church stronger. The further that our church can go, the better. It will be good for us as a group, as a whole, to strive especially at this time, to push forward. I don’t think “numbers” are what make a good or strong church. However, a good and strong church wants to grow. This proceeds from an individual believer wanting to reproduce, to see other people saved and added to the church. This starts with strengthening your own relationship to the Lord through the Word of God, prayer, and the fellowship of other saints. Commit yourself wholly to what God says and what He wants you to do. When we see the example of Jesus Christ and the Apostles reflected from the New Testament, we will do what they did. The church grew through their work. Ours will too. Let’s pray and strive for God to use us in the building up of this church. That’s how it will grow. I believe that’s what you want too.