Stronger Together

(This article was published in the 4th issue of the 2013 Proclaimer) Solomon wisely wrote in Ecclesiastes 4, “Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor…though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

We are stronger as we Stand Together. 

Not far from where I live, Rev. Weatherford, a Baptist pastor, was jailed for preaching the Gospel in Colonial Virginia. Followers of Jesus face trouble, trials, and tribulation to this day. Spiritual battles should not be surprising. Scripture teaches us to be strong in the Lord. In Acts, we read how the 1st-century followers of the Lord Jesus sought to strengthen one another in the Lord. In the 21st century, we too face spiritual battles. SBC of Virginia was founded as a fellowship united in our stand on the Scriptures. Sanctity of life, biblical marriage, and economic woes are examples of current challenges. We are stronger together as we stand together on God’s Word.

We are stronger as we Serve Together.

We can grow weary in serving. The Lord Jesus sent his followers out two-by-two to be His witnesses. As we read Paul’s epistles, he often references the fellow with him. The Scriptures give us many examples of the power of partnership. Ecclesiastes 4 reminds us that our work is more profitable as we serve together. SBC of Virginia churches serve together in many ways: Disaster Relief teams, scholarship programs, and mission partnerships, to name a few.

We are stronger as we Send Together.

We live in a day and age of global travel, international business, and mass media. The world in some ways seems to have become smaller, more interconnected. You can board an airplane and in hours be in a different culture on another continent. Yet the lostness and darkness are great. SBC of Virginia churches have global impact as we send together. We are joining together to proclaim the Gospel to people in places like Montreal, Greater Washington, DC, and Appalachia. SBC of Virginia churches join together to send 5,000 international missionaries. SBC of Virginia churches send church planters across Virginia and throughout North America.

We are Stronger Together…standing together, serving together, sending together!