This week we have a special edition of This Week in the BRN Family! In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, we asked a few BRN pastors and ministry leaders to share what they are most thankful for in God’s Kingdom as well as a favorite Scripture verse that encourages gratitude. We pray these expressions of thankfulness will bless and encourage you this holiday season! Happy Thanksgiving, BRN Family!
Dr. Maurice Mimms, Senior Pastor at Browns Mills Baptist Church:
“God bless you in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior! I believe the Thanksgiving holiday is a personal time to reflect on what God has done for me and my family (selfishly). I praise God that on April 1, He placed me in a church that has received me and my family well. I am also grateful that on Nov. 4, I retired from the Army Reserves with 39 years of service.
I say selfishly because at the beginning of the year my family and I were in between ‘callings,’ and military retirement was drawing near. The unknown and instability are always a challenge, but First Lady Pam and I gave our concerns to the Lord, and we left them at the altar. Finally, my two youngest children both graduated from college!”
Verse for the Season:
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9 (NIV)
Dr. Kim Grueser, Senior Pastor at Pittsburgh Baptist Church:
“As pastor of Pittsburgh Baptist Church, I am thankful for the legacy of ministry it has built. Virtually all of which has happened through partnerships with other churches, our state convention, and the North American Mission Board. In October, we celebrated our 64th anniversary. By God’s grace, we will have many more. I am also grateful for 43 years with my wife, Diane.”
Verse for the Season:
“Be glad in the Lord, you righteous ones, and give thanks to his holy name.” – Psalm 97:12 (CSB)
Pastor Sergio Belloso, Mission Pastor at Iglesia Biblica La Verdad:
“I’m deeply thankful to God for the unconditional support I receive from my family as I serve as a church planter. From my 10 and 8-year-old boys’ willingness to arrange chairs, stand in the front of the building to welcome and open the doors for every person that comes to church, along with my wife’s dedication in preparing coffee and children’s lessons every Sunday. Serving the Lord together brings us immense joy. We are all thankful for this privilege.”
Verse for the Season:
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” – Psalm 103:2 (ESV)
Bekah Gulledge, Associate Director of BCM at Drexel University:
“I am thankful for the way God has worked through the international student ministry in Philadelphia in the past few months. It is such a joy to see someone understand or even hear the gospel for the very first time. I am thankful for the people God has placed in my life who have helped send me here and those who help me stay.”
Verse for the Season:
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV)
Pastor Brad Bower, Senior Pastor at Freedom Biker Church – Harrisburg:
“I am thankful for many things in my life. My Salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ, our church that teaches the Bible and Salvation every week, my family that stuck with me through my rough times, but most of all I am thankful for my wife that God has blessed me with – Angela (road name Snackx).
She has been with me in the hardest times, when I was a raging alcoholic and very suicidal from military experiences. She has been my best friend and the greatest step-mother to my son, Collin, God could have ever blessed me with. Thank you, Snackx! I Love you!”
Verse for the Season:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Pastor Chuck Fricker, Senior Pastor at Harvest House Community Fellowship:
“I am thankful for faithful saints around the world that sacrifice to give resources for local churches to spread the gospel. I am particularly grateful for Dewey and Kathie Aiken and their work collecting and distributing Christmas backpacks to serve children and proclaim the message of salvation! I am also grateful for our newly ordained deacon, Jeff Groome, who volunteered his time to go pick up 200 of those backpacks!”
Verse for the Season:
“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,” – Hebrews 12:28 (ESV)
Mary Landis, BRN Woman’s Ministry Consultant:
“I am thankful for so much. It’s hard to pick one thing. God has been gracious and merciful to me in countless ways. I am always most grateful for my family and close friends. Friends I apologize, I don’t have a recent picture of us together. God has made the barren woman the joyful mother of children. Though I live far from my extended family, I am so grateful for them.”
Verse for the Season:
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17 (CSB)
Pastor Sean Moon, Mission Pastor at Calvary Church – Lewistown:
“About a year ago, God nudged a new believer to bless us with one of his three motorcycles, and we are so incredibly grateful for this gift! This has been a great way for Tera and me to press pause in ministry and to reset with God and each other…all while exploring so many wonderful and beautiful parts of the country! It has also given us the opportunity to connect with other BRN family members and fellow bikers (Jim and Sherri Hodge).”
Verse for the Season:
“I will thank the Lord with all my heart; I will declare all your wondrous works. I will rejoice and boast about you; I will sing about your name, Most High.” – Psalm 9:1-2 (CSB)
Be a part of This Week in the BRN Family
Have exciting things happening in your church!? Let us know so we can celebrate with you and share the good news with our BRN Family. Submit stories of your church accelerating Kingdom movement, loving their neighbors or celebrating baptisms on our News Tips page. We can’t wait to hear from you!
