Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 246 BOCNEWS.com SEPTEMBER 2016 42 Years of Pastoral Service Pastor Paul & Evangelist Dallas Burleson of Friendship Baptist Church of Christ Jesus (FBCCJ) have been ministerial servants, leaders, instructors and examples as staples in Denver and throughout the USA for 42 years. They were called the “Dynamic Duo” building one another up as they preach the gospel of Jesus Christ teaching the word and being unapologetic for upholding the Blood Stained Banner of the Lord. There were Pastors there with their choirs and congregations from as far as Temple, Texas and throughout Colorado coming to celebrate with Burleson’s and FBCCJ. FBCCJ hosted a barbecue and a Hallelujah good time the 3rd Friday, Saturday and Sunday, of August 2016. On Sunday morning Pastor Anthony C. Bell of Restoration of Life Ministries International, in Colorado Springs, CO, delivered the message on the “Un-Finished Church,” a sermon that had the church rocking and rolling. However, on Sunday evening the guest preacher the Reverend Willie Earl Robertson of the Macedonia Baptist Church in Temple, Texas, brought the house down by preaching “Run Your Race” stating that ministerial service is not a sprint it’s a marathon speaking to the 42 years of service of Pastor Paul & Evangelist Dallas Burleson. FBCCJ was packed with on lookers and those who embodied the Christian spirit; as they too prepared to run their race. From lift to right: Pastors Anthony C. Bell, Willie Earl Robertson, Paul Burleson & Sam Harris III. I Knew You If we are used by God in ministry, it is because of the relationship that exists between God and ourselves. God uses us because He knows us. Jeremiah responded to the call of God like many of us do. Even after he was assured that God was calling him, he still offered reasons and excuses why he could not respond to the call. Isn't that just like us (in the flesh) ? God, the Creator of the universe, puts us in position to do great things, and immediately we tell Him all kinds of reasons why He must have mis- taken us for someone more worthy or qualified. “I'm not ready yet” is one of the reasons we offer. We may say; “But God, I'm a sinner,” or “God I don't have a seminary degree.” or “I've had an abortion,” maybe we say; “I've been deceiving, lying and cheat- ing people most of my life.” The list could go on and on, but even before He calls us, God knows all the details of our lives that we give as excuses. God saw us in our struggles. God saw us in that life style we used to live. Perhaps that is why He called us in the first place. Who better to min- ister to a drug addict than a former drug addict? Who could better evan- gelize children than a child? Who could better evangelize to prostitutes than a former prostitute, but by the grace of God, that former prostitute is now evangelizing through commu- nity outreach ministry. Paul told us that we can “comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort where- with we ourselves are comforted of God' (2 Corinthians 1:4). God does not call us despite our issues, but perhaps because of them. God calls us and uses us because He knows us, yes, but He also calls us because we know Him. The most important ministry we have is to God Himself. Jesus knew that His first ministry was to be in union with the Father. How many times did Jesus go to be alone with the Father before entering a new realm of ministry? Jesus said, “The Son can do noth- ing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that himself doeth: and he will show him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. (John 5:19-20) Ministry done outside of our intimate connection to Christ is done in the flesh, not out of love for God. Again, Jesus said, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:22-23) Saints, ask the ques- tion, how many of you today in the church minister out of your desire for recognition rather than your love for Christ? The most vital and fulfilling ministry any of us has is our ministry to the person of Jesus Christ in our worship and devotion to Him. If we don't get that right, then noth- ing else matters…..because HE knew you before you knew yourself. Dr. PM Wynn Grove and Lee Grove Jr., are the found- ers of Heavenly Sent Ministries and, Associate Pastors at The Potter House of Denver. Pastor PM can be reached by email; pmwynn9@msn.com By PM Wynn Grove God calls us and uses us because He knows us, yes, but He also calls us because we know Him. The most important ministry we have is to God Himself. Jesus knew that His first ministry was to be in union with the Father. SERMON