Remember that the crucifixion was the way to the resurrection, says BRN Exec

Hello, BRN Family! It’s good to be with you today.

Last month, we had the occasion to hear from Ed Stetzer at our Advance Conference in State College. He shared how the evangelical church is facing an “evangelism crisis point” because so many nominal Christians have walked away from the church amid what he called our recent “cultural convulsions.”

Every 60 years, Stetzer noted, America goes through a cultural convulsion-a season of upheaval and uncertainty, often marked by fear. But here’s what we know, we have been here before. In the past when there have been cultural convulsions, cultural division and church disruption, it is followed by revival and spiritual outpouring.

Stetzer said, “The moment we are in does not pause the mission we are on.”

He shared about the tumultuous times in 1968, when there was a Hong Kong flu pandemic, the Vietnam war, and the civil rights movement, where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.

Then, as can happen now, the tumultuous times provided a way for revival. As Stetzer said, what followed in 1968 was the “Jesus Movement,” an awakening that spanned to millions of individuals who were radically saved and born again into the Kingdom of God.

Could it be that God is now setting the stage for revival in our tumultuous time of the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine, all of the racial tensions, and even the fall away that we are seeing from the church?

According to Jesus in the gospel of Matthew, the gates of hell will not prevail against the local church. I want to remind you that the local church is ordained by God, and it is His plan through the church to reach the nations for Jesus. God will use this tumultuous time to strengthen the body, to unite the body, and to use us as a light in the midst of the darkness.

I trust that as you celebrate Easter this weekend, you will remember that the crucifixion was the way to the resurrection. Whatever difficulties you were facing individually or as a church, know that God has a resurrection plan. He is the author and perfecter of our faith, and we can lean in on him, as we elevate the power of the cross and boast in it.

Please know that our prayers are for you and for your church during this season and more. Like former awakenings and revivals, we have a window of opportunity during this time of difficulty to shine a light of Jesus. Will you rise up at this moment? My prayer is yes.

As always, the Baptist Resource Network stands ready to assist you in whatever season you are in. Always feel free to contact us at the Help Desk. God bless you! Happy Resurrection Sunday!