You are the Church

One of my favorite passages of Scripture, and one that I often preach at weddings, is found in the third chapter of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossians. As I reflect on my father’s transition, and the ways in which God has used all of you--the members of First Baptist Church--to minister to our family during this time, I am drawn back to Paul’s words: “Since you are all set apart by God, made holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a holy way of life: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (Colossians 3:!2 VOICE)

During the COVID pandemic, faith communities across the nation, including FBC, had to grapple with what it means to be the church. Unable to gather in particular locations at set times, we quickly learned that church is not a building, nor is church defined by or confined to the 10:30 hour that we gather for worship on Sunday morning. We came to understand that church--the church of the True and Living God--is so much more than that. In many ways, we were forced to return to the ancient definition of church (in Greek, eklesia) as the gathered ones called out and set apart by God, summoned for a specific purpose.

Which brings me back to our season of bereavement. FBC, you have embodied church during this time. You have taken seriously, with your actions, what is required of those who have been set apart by God. You have clothed yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, in garments expansive enough to cover our entire family. Thank you, First Baptist, for not playing church, or simply doing church, but we give God praise and thanks for you being the church--called out and set apart by God, summoned to exude and extend love to all.

Growing in Christ

Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah

He is … Father

By vocation, I am a woman who handles words as part of who I am and what I do, yet there are times when my own words get lodged within, unable to escape my tongue or typing fingers. The death of my father is one of those times. In honor of my father, I share part of a poem “He is … Father”  by Epiphany:

…He is​

the shine in a little girl’s eyes

the icon of a son in the mirror

a husband to his woman

a provider & a leader

the endearing traits of a real man

personified in how He lives​

…He is​

the strength of the family unit

the shelter in a raging storm

a patriarch to the ancestral tree

his seed produces legacies

to carry on his dynasty​

…He is​

stability in the midst of adversity

He rules with a gentle hand

teaches his daughter how to be loved

to accept nothing less than a true man

He instills pride in his son

to be the best Man that He can be​

…He is​

a monumental influence

to the innocence of youth

a consonant pillar of masculinity

without a heavy hand as proof

if you had to measure A Man

in all He say or do

it is in the path He chooses to follow

it is the fruits of his wealthy spirit

that makes him so unique​

Growing in Christ

Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah

Our Rock

There are times when God speaks directly to my soul through my Spotify playlist. My drive to the hospital on Sunday morning to see my dad as he lay in ICU was one of those times. Overwhelmed by dad’s condition and by what would need to be done, the Holy Spirit interrupted my consumed mind with the voice of Stephen Hurd:

When my heart is overwhelmed

I pray Lord lead me to the rock

Lead me to the rock that's higher than I

O Lord

I began to sing along, shifting my mind from the situation at hand to God who holds all situations in His hands. I was overcome with peace by the time the song reached the refrain:

You are my firm foundation

My salvation my solid rock

Hurd’s words are not his own, rather riffed from David’s prayer in Psalm 62:1-3. I have always been drawn to David’s metaphor of God as our Rock. As our Rock, God is a steady and secure presence in our lives. God is the One we can rely on to be faithful and sure when everything else around us is topsy-turvy. At the same time, not only is God secure, but as our Rock, God is also the One who holds us up when we are overwhelmed, overcome, and consumed by life.

Whatever circumstance you find yourself in--if you are like me in a season of overwhelm--I invite you to find safety in the gracious presence of God, who is indeed our Rock.

Growing in Christ

Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah

But not…

I am writing this missive on Sunday evening as the nation is reeling from yet more perplexing news in our increasingly volatile political climate. Family, we are navigating uncharted waters in unprecedented times.

For a moment, I was overcome by a deep feeling of despair. I talked with family and friends; our conversations filled with more questions than answers. I scrolled through social media which only intensified my despair. I was feeling a bit helpless, wondering about the days ahead. I was all ready to stew in my feelings until the Holy Spirit brought to my mind the words of the Apostle Paul, “We are afflicted in every way but not crushed, perplexed but not driven to despair, persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed...” (2 Cor. 4:8-9).

What stood out to me in my meditation were the words but not that followed every experience of hardship. But not is a testimony that God is yet active in our lives. But not is a reminder that hardships are present, but not provident. But not is a confirmation that evil and oppressive forces will never have the last word in the earth because as Jesus told his disciples, “In the world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.”

So, family, since we are not crushed, driven to despair, forsaken, or destroyed, let us be of good cheer and continue to do the good work of Jesus which includes liberation and justice on earth as it is in Heaven.

Growing in Christ

Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah

Unexpected Blessings

If you recall, last year I put a considerable amount of effort into my garden. Unfortunately, that was not my testimony this year. Between family, FBC ministry, PNBC work, and finding time to rest, I did not have the time this Spring to prepare and plant a garden.

Before we left for our trip to Africa, the garden area was overrun with weeds. I vowed to clear it when we returned. I figured that although I did not plant in the Spring, there would still be time to prepare for Fall planting of greens, scallions, carrots, and such.

Imagine my surprise when we returned home to find beefsteak and cherry tomatoes, cucumber flowers, and hot peppers fruiting in the uncultivated garden. The fruit that died on the vine reseeded the ground and voila! Immediately, I enlisted Joseph’s help. We cleared out as many weeds as we could, made a plan to buy stakes to prop up the tomatoes, and committed to tending to the garden for the rest of the season.

The Holy Spirit has reminded me of three lessons through this process that I want to share with you:

• God can (and will) take dead things and use them to bring new life;

• Be careful of letting unwanted things take over your life. They can get caught up with the desirable things and make it hard to separate the unwanted from the desirable without harming what you really want.

• When God gives you an unexpected blessing that you didn’t plan or work for, don’t take it for granted, but do your part in order to reap the full harvest that God has for you.

Growing in Christ

Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah

The Master Architect

Over the course of fifteen days, Brother Joseph, the girls and I were blessed to visit Africa. We began our trip in Egypt, visiting Cairo and Giza. From Egypt, we traveled “home” to Ghana. In both places, I did things I never did before, like traverse the Canopy Walkways at Kakum National Park and enjoy a hearty Egyptian street-food, Kosherie.

Of all of the experiences, visiting the Great Pyramids of Giza was the most memorable. As a former Art History teacher, it was amazing to see places I had only seen in books and photos. As we took in the sights and surroundings of the Great Pyramids of Giza, I was awestruck. Our Egyptologist touted the great architectural feat of human invention and ingenuity that made the pyramids possible, however my mind was on the Master Architect behind the construction of such a massive, mathematical, and magnificent structure. While the Greek historian, Herodotus named the Great Pyramids among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, I reflected on the Wonder behind the wonder. In other words, the Great Pyramids were a witness of the creative power of our Great God and reminded of Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.”

God created the human beings and raw materials that conceived and constructed such greatness. And I am encouraged that the same God who was at work through those ancient architects is still at work today and that there is much greatness that God will do through you and me.

Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah

Unoccupied

As I prepare to be away, Mark 6:31-32, comes to mind, “And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.”

This scene is sandwiched between busy moments of ministry. Before saying these words, the disciples came to Jesus and shared all of the successes they had in ministry. What followed was a famished crowd that met Jesus and the disciples when their boat docked. In between success in ministry and feeding the multitude, Jesus tells the disciples, “Let’s take a vacation.” There is a connection between our vocation and vacations.

First Baptist, God be praised, we’ve had a fruitful first half of the year! And though God has much more for us to do this year as we unashamedly go higher in worship, deeper in study, and wider in fellowship for far reaching impact for Christ, I feel a deep sense of fulfillment as I live out my vocation. I also sense Jesus saying, “Donna, take a vacation.”

By definition, a vacation is an extended period of leisure and recreation. It comes from a Latin word which means to be unoccupied and unoccupied is exactly what I plan to be. I am looking forward to sharing in rest, joy, sightseeing, and laughing along with Bro. Joseph and the girls. I am also looking forward to returning strengthened for ministry, because the world is hungry for the Living Bread...

Unoccupied until July 9th,

Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah

Watch Children

On this Children and Education Sunday, I am reminded of the yellow, diamond shaped traffic signs that read, “Watch Children.”“Watch Children” signs are placed to make drivers mindful of the safety of children that may be walking, running, or playing in the area. When I see these signs, I slow down, being careful of the presence of children. But these signs also cause me to reflect beyond what they mean for the safety of children. 

What if we heeded this sign not simply as a warning to be cautious about traffic, but also as an invitation to life more fully and more alive? Watching children—and emulating some of their behaviors—may be helpful for the fullness of life and thriving for adults of all ages. Even Jesus reminded us in Matthew 18:3, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

We can watch the playfulness and imagination of children…

Children are naturally playful. At around three months of age, babies begin to smile in joyful response to the smiles of those around them. Toddlers can find pleasure in playing with almost anything—from manufactured toys to empty cardboard boxes. 

Elementary school children look forward to recess when they can play with their friends. And teenagers, in all of their budding maturity, become energized at the opportunity to play. Play and imagination brings a sense of vitality that many adults would benefit from. When the care of life become overwhelming, simple play—like opening a fresh box of Crayola Crayons with a coloring book—can re-energize us for the tasks and decisions ahead. 

We can watch the courage of children…

I am amazed when I watch small children playing on jungle gyms. They approach slides and monkey bars with a boldness that is inspiring. And they try, and try, and try to reach their goals and don’t stop until they’ve made it. Surely, small failures come, but they pick themselves up and keep trying. In an adult way, it is asking the question, “What would I do if I knew I could not fail?” and attempting the feat with audacity and grace. 

We can watch the intimate connections of children…

Children thrive on touch. In addition to proper nutrition, human touch has crucial effects on physical and emotional growth of newborn babies. More than physical touch, emotional connection with others is also important to children. Children, unless they have been violated in some way, are some of the friendliest people on the planet. Children live deeply into the truth that no person is an island, and that human beings are created to be in relationship with each other. As adults, we can embrace our interconnectedness through everything from handshakes and hugs to telephone calls to our friends to let them know that we were thinking of them.

In addition to these, I’m sure there are many other beautiful lessons we can learn from the lives of children. So, I invite us to heed and obey the signs to “Watch Children” as we become faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. 

Growing in Christ,

Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah

Our Children are Our Future

I am fully aware that “The Greatest Love of All” was originally sang by George Benson, though I must admit that it was the 1986 recording on the song by the late Whitney Houston that made a tremendous impact on my life. In her strong, signature voice, Houston sang:

I believe the children are our future;

Teach them well and let them lead the way;

Show them all the beauty they possess inside;

Give them a sense of pride to make it easier;

Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be.

Listening to this song at ten years old, I recognized it as a clarion call for adults to rise up to their rightful place as parents, teachers, leaders, and role models in shaping the next generation for the future that awaited them and in doing so, to have a hand in shaping the world. The song is a call to action--teach, show, give--that requires an investment on the part of adults into the lives of children so that one day they will take their places as leaders. The song asks the older generation to do their part so the generations coming behind them would not have the same difficulties and challenges they faced.

This song comes to mind as we approach Children and Education Sunday. Last week I made an appeal for each disciple to make an investment--a seed offering of $100, $50, $25, or whatever you can afford above and beyond your weekly tithes and offering--into the lives of our young people. With the rising cost of higher education and the burden of student loan debt, I believe, First Baptist, that we have an opportunity to Invest In a way that tangibly expresses that we believe our children are our future.

Growing in Christ,

Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah

We Can Do Great Things Together

After every church program or event, including Family and Friends Day, I pause to reflect on the following questions: What did we do well? How can we use that in future ministry? What didn’t work? How do we avoid those mistakes in the future? To say that Family and Friends Day was a rousing success is an understatement! We had a full sanctuary, joyous worship, two decisions during the invitation to discipleship, and loads of fun!

In terms of what we did well, the wisdom of Mother Teresa comes to mind, “I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things." As a Pastor, it was a joy to witness our co-chairs, Sis. Kelly Brown and Sis. Charity Gall, do their thing. They were prayerful and worked collaboratively, drawing on each other’s strengths to plan an amazing day. They also embodied collaborative ministry by galvanizing and employing the gifts of a wide range of members of the congregation. This was a group success! Lastly, when faced with obstacles, they pivoted, demonstrating flexibility and faith in God that leads to the execution of ministry that glorifies God and edifies God’s people.

All that said, there were two main areas for improvement I noticed. These, I would argue, are not solely the work of the co-chairs, but the work of the entire church. The first area of improvement is engagement of the community. How wonderful it would have been to have our friends from the neighborhood to celebrate with us, even if they only joined for a post-worship fellowship as a way of reintroducing ourselves to the community. The second area of improvement is engagement of children. What a joy it was to have so many children running around In the parking lot. I can see face painting and bouncy houses in our future. Onward...I already know Family and Friends 2025 Is going to be outstanding!

Growing in Christ,

Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah

Be Our Guest!

Be our guest! Be our guest! Put our service to the test. Tie your napkin 'round your neck, cherie, and we'll provide the rest...

Beauty and the Beast

This chorus, from the Disney animated film, “Beauty and the Beast” speaks to the radical hospitality demonstrated by the clock, teapot, and candelabra, to the protagonist, Belle, who was held hostage by an arrogant prince.

This chorus is one that the church can learn from, especially on this Family and Friends Day. People enter our church from an often hostile world, beat down by the arrogance of insecure people and unjust systems. As disciples of Christ, we have the responsibility of making people feel at home, comfortable, and safe within our fellowship--to be our guest. As those who have been welcomed by the expansive and enveloping love of God in Jesus Christ, our ministry is to extend that same love to others as a witness to the transformative power of Christ’s love and to do so without asking our guests to jump through unnecessary hoops...tie your napkin ‘round your neck, cherie, and we’ll provide the rest.

Some of you may be saying, “Pastor, you’re reaching...are you really suggesting the church learn from a singing clock, teapot, and candelabra?”

Yes, however if these words do not move you, perhaps these will: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2). Whether you are inspired by the Bible, Beauty and the Beast, or both, I invite you to welcome our guests today with open heart and open arms as angels sent from God.

Growing in Christ,

Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah

The Ministry of Motherhood

This edition of Pastor’s Pen was originally posted in the January 2014 edition of Urban Faith Magazine.

Mothering is holy work; And motherhood a sacred journey. In the midst of soiled diapers, sleep deprivation, and shuttling children to their various activities, it may be difficult to embrace the truth that motherhood is ministry.

And He Gave Some to Be Mothers

Motherhood as ministry is not limited to personal spiritual growth. The biblical definition of ministry, as communicated by the Apostle Paul, is rooted in the growth and health of the body of Christ: “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-13 NKVJ). In his letter to the Corinthian church, the conversation is expanded to highlight the importance of each gift within the body of Christ as necessary to the proper functioning of the body. Within these definitions of ministry is the understanding that each person within the body of Christ has been uniquely gifted that the church would be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ: wholly loving, deeply selfless, and totally reliant upon God. Although the Apostle Paul does not explicitly name mothers in his litany of ministers, what would it mean for the church to take seriously the role of mothers in the growth of the church? Moreover, what would it mean for mothers to take seriously their roles as mothers—even the seemingly mundane aspects of motherhood—in the overall growth and health of the church? In particular, the ministry of mothers to mothers is of utmost importance.

Nobody Told Me the Road Would Be Easy

If we are honest, motherhood is not always an easy journey. It is downright hard some days. This truth rarely gets told. In recent days, this truth unfolded before our eyes on the nightly news. Her name was Miriam Carey. She was a 34 year old African-American woman who was fatally shot by police after a high speed chase from the White House to the Capitol Building in Washington, DC. Her story is gripping, not because of the location where her life came to a tragic end, but because she was a young mother a long way from home driving recklessly with her one year old daughter in the car. In the days following the event the new outlets reported that she was suffering from postpartum depression. The diagnoses was changed to postpartum psychosis. Miriam Carey was a young mother suffering after one of the most joyous occasion in a woman’s life. And if the truth is told, Miriam Carey may have been suffering alone, but she was not the only one suffering.

According to the American Psychological Association, Postpartum Depression is “is a serious mental health problem characterized by a prolonged period of emotional disturbance, occurring at a time of major life change and increased responsibilities in the care of a newborn infant.” Postpartum Depression affects between 9 and 16% of women. It is more serious than the “baby blues” which affect most women after the birth of children.

It can be prolonged, lasting up to two years postpartum. It can be emotionally painful. It can be physically paralyzing. Mothers suffering from postpartum depression can identify with the Psalmist, “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me?” (from Psalm 42:5 NIV). While I do not know Miriam Carey’s church affiliation, or if she was a disciple of Christ at all, surely there are new mothers in our churches dressed in their Sunday best while suffering deep within.

Sadly, within the body of Christ, we do not always know how to handle mental illness, including postpartum depression. As Terrie M. Williams, author of Black Plain: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting, writes, “Too many of us believe that our pain is a kind of punishment for our flaws, that maybe if we were better people or better Christians we would not be suffering.” This is where the ministry of motherhood is vitally important. When I think about Miriam Carey, I wonder where were the mothers in her life? Where was the community of mothers praying with her? Where was the community of mothers telling their truths about the realities of motherhood?

There are three ways in which mothers can minister to one another during this time: prayer, plain talk, and presence.

First, the ministry of motherhood requires that mothers pray for and with one another. Scripture teaches,“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:17 NIV). Depression of any kind is not a sin, however there is power in praying with another mother. If you are suffering in any aspect of motherhood, tell the truth about your situation to another mother that so that she can pray with you and for you. There is healing in prayer. God inclines His ear to the cries of His children. And while your suffering may not be miraculously relieved through prayer, you will feel God’s presence in the midst of the valley and God will lead and guide you in a direction to get adequate help: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4 NIV).

Second, the ministry of motherhood requires that mothers tell the truth to one another about the realities of motherhood. Many mothers suffer a tremendous amount of guilt and feeling of inadequacy, especially in comparison with other mothers. If women tell the truth about the daily joys and grind of motherhood, perhaps many others would be set free. No one shared with me how difficult breastfeeding would be in the first few weeks of my daughter’s life. I felt alone and inferior because I was having trouble feeding my child. I now share my experiences with other mothers so they know that they are not alone, that they are more than adequate, and that there is hope.

Lastly, the ministry of motherhood requires mothers to be present with and for one another. This can be especially difficult in an age of texting, tweeting, and status updates. Motherhood can be an isolating experience and our society has abandoned the ethic of care that says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” As mothers we should connect ourselves with other mothers face to face. This can be through playdates, which minister to mothers as well as to children. It could be a mother’s only date. Many mothers, especially stay-at-home-moms, are thirsting for adult conversation. If there is a mother who is struggling, offer to help her out: grocery shopping, washing dishes, or cooking a meal come to mind. When mothers are present for one another families are strengthened, which help strengthen our churches and communities. This is the heart of ministry.

This subject is deeply personal to me. I am an ordained minister and prior to the birth of our daughter 18 months ago, my husband and I made the decision that I would stay home from my position as an assistant pastor for a time to nurture and care for her. There were moments of intense joy, balanced with moments of insecurity and challenges. The biggest challenge was coming to the understanding that what I was doing was holy work. It was easy to qualify preaching, teaching Bible study, and counseling grieving families as ministry, but I had a difficult time seeing motherhood as ministry. This vocational tension, coupled with shifting hormones, led to a period of postpartum depression. But God sent some mothers into my life who prayed for me, encouraged me, and told me the truth about motherhood. Their witness, alongside the support of my husband, the help of a therapist, exercise and rest ushered me into wellness. And now, not only do I value the ministry of mothers, I engage in the ministry of motherhood, praying with, supporting, and encouraging mothers who need strength for the journey. If you are a mother struggling through the terrain of motherhood, get with some mothers who can encourage you out of their experience. And when possible, encourage another mother in her journey. Motherhood is not a perfect experience, but through it, especially when mothers minister to one another, we are being conformed into the image of a perfect Christ.

Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah

Unashamed Witness - Sharing your Faith

Yesterday, before leaving for school, my Baby Girl, Adjoa, came to me and asked, “Mommy, do you have any Family and Friends Day cards?” With unbridled excitement she went on to exclaim, “I know three people I want to invite to church and I’ll take a few extra cards just in case!” As I grabbed some cards from my purse and handed them to her, the Holy Spirit began to stir within me. Her UNASHAMED witness enlivened me. Here was a nine year old actively looking for opportunities to share her faith and invite her friends to church. As her mother and Pastor, I couldn’t be more proud. But I must admit, as a disciple, I was challenged.

As I reflected on the moment, I heard the Spirit of God say, “Donna, how are you showing up as an UNASHAMED witness for Christ in your daily life?” When I thought about my life beyond Sunday morning in the pulpit and beyond my “official” duties as your Pastor, I was convicted. Sure, I am pleasant and share the love of Jesus with people in tangible and intangible ways, but I had to ask myself, “When was the last time you shared your faith with someone who doesn’t know Christ?”

Theologian Leonard Sweet once wrote, “Don’t preach to the choir. Don’t even preach to the congregation. Preach to the community zip code.” The truth is that while I talk about Jesus all day, I am often preaching to the choir. But since a little child shall lead them, I am inspired to follow Baby Girl’s UNASHAMED example, which is the mandate given by Jesus in Matthew 28:16-20 and Acts 1:8. First Baptist, I invite you to sit with the question, “How are you showing up as an UNASHAMED witness for Christ in your daily life?” and then be intentional about sharing your faith, not just for Family and Friends Day, but to participate in God’s great work of salvation.

Growing in Christ,

Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah

Far Reaching Impact for Jesus Christ

Over the past few installments of the Pastor’s Pen, we’ve been exploring the Church Vision of being Disciples with Dimension, what it means, how it manifests itself, and the impact it will have on individual disciples and the congregation. We’ve talked about Going Higher in Worship, Going Deeper in Study, and Going Wider in Fellowship, all of which lead to the fourth aspect of the vision, Far Reaching Impact for Jesus Christ.

In thinking about what it means to have a far reaching impact for Jesus Christ, I return to the words of Nannie Helen Burroughs, “No church should be allowed to stay in a community that does not positively improve community life.”

First Baptist, why are we here? Why has God allowed our church to remain in this community for over 130 years? I know that we can look in the annals of church history and point to ministries and movements that have made a difference here in Englewood, yet I wonder, what impact are we having on our community now? In what ways are we improving community life? What does our community need and how has God uniquely equipped us to meet those needs?

A focus on community may seem small, however, I believe that ministering to the community is the first step in having a far reaching Impact for Christ; When we faithfully engage with and impact the community as a church, it ripples out to Bergen County, the State of New Jersey, the nation, and the world.

Growing in Christ,

Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah

Going Wider in Fellowship

“The church exists primarily for two closely correlated purposes: to worship God and to work for his kingdom in the world ... The church also exists for a third purpose, which serves the other two: to encourage one another, to build one another up in faith, to pray with and for one another, to learn from one another and teach one another, and to set one another examples to follow, challenges to take up, and urgent tasks to perform. This is all part of what is known loosely as fellowship.”

This quotation from New Testament Scholar N.T. Wright gets to the heart of the third aspect of our church vision: Going Wider in Fellowship.

The witness of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation is clear that God has always been concerned about our relationships and connection. From Adam and Even in the garden to the great gathering around the throne in Heaven, we were created to be in community. When we survey the New Testament, we recognize that Jesus calls us to be in relationship with one another and the church, at her finest, functions best when we are in community.

For FBC going wider in fellowship has two facets. First, we are joined together in worship, discipleship, service, and evangelism for the expressed purpose of strengthening each other--as iron sharpens iron--for work in the kingdom of God and lifting the name of Jesus. Second, going wider in fellowship is about being joined together for joy, delight and sorrow. This happens when we eat together, play together, cry together, and celebrate together. Part of this will require that we expand our understanding of “together” so that we connect with brothers and sisters beyond our usual circle. And I believe that when we go wider in fellowship as a body that we will be better for it individually and corporately to the glory of God!

Growing in Christ,

Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah

Going Higher, Deeper and Wider for Christ

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ always stirs up within me an excitement around the possibilities of life. The Resurrection is a reminder to believers that in Christ there is forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, triumph over death, and the opportunity for a fresh start.

With this fresh start in mind, I want to draw our attention to our church vision: Developing Disciples with Dimension, which has four aspects:

• Going Higher In Worship

• Going Deeper In Study

• Going Wider In Fellowship

• For Far Reaching Impact for Christ

Over the next several weeks I will focus on one aspect of the vision and what new possibilities lie ahead. When I think about going Higher in Worship, I am reminded of the Psalter which begins with the understanding that those who delight in God will not only have deep roots, but will grow higher, flourishing in everything they do. The Psalter then crescendos in high praise in Psalm 150 with everything and everyone joining together in praise to God. God has shown me that going higher in worship will happen when we focus all of our delight on God. To reach this place, we will need the faithful effort of all leaders and members. By this time next year, I envision a twenty voice choir, a dance ministry that ministers every Sunday, more instrumentation that offers a robust musical sound, fewer announcements, and the participatory involvement of every member in the Sunday morning worship experience. Psalm 22:3 reminds us that, “God is enthroned in the praises of His people” and If we do our part to invoke the Spirit of God through our praise, I have no doubt that God will blow our minds!

Growing in Christ,

Pastor Donna Owusu-Ansah

Going Deeper in Study

The question that I am sitting with this week is how does the Resurrection of Jesus Christ impact the lives of believers? Another way to think about this question is, “What does the Resurrection of Jesus Christ require of me?”

I know this question may rub some the wrong way. We don’t like requirements. We enjoy being on the receiving end of a faith that doesn’t ask much of us. But I believe firmly that although salvation is a gift that we did nothing to earn, a gift we could never pay for, the grace of mercy of God through Jesus Christ ought to prompt and provoke a response from us as Unashamed and grateful recipients of the gift of God.

This brings me to the second aspect of our vision: Going Deeper in Study. Going deeper in study has at its core discipleship and a rootedness in the Word of God, with particular attention on the life, teachings, and revelation of Christ and the work of the early church. Discipleship is about our beliefs and behaviors being transformed, as Paul writes in Romans, “By the renewing of our minds...” To go deeper in the study of God’s word is a declaration of intent to grow in the knowledge of God, so that we become living witnesses.

There are two ways in which I invite each of us to “go deeper in study” individually, so that corporately we can become the church God intends. The first is to commit to daily reading of God’s Word. One of the best ways to do this is by using the YouVersion app which has reading plans suited to a variety of levels. The second way that you can go “deeper in study” is to attend weekly Bible Study on Wednesdays. I am a witness that the deeper you go in study, the closer you draw to God, the more your life will reflect the light and life of Christ in the world.

Growing in Christ,

Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah

Expect a Miracle

“It is not easy to convey a sense of wonder, let alone resurrection wonder, to another. It’s the very nature of wonder to catch us off guard, to circumvent expectations and assumptions. Wonder can’t be packaged, and it can’t be worked up. It requires some sense of being there and some sense of engagement.”

Eugene H. Peterson

Today is the highest holy day in our Christian calendar. Though much attention is given to Christmas, Resurrection Sunday is the day where we celebrate Christ’s victory over death and the grave and--with awe and gratitude--we receive God’s invitation in Christ to a new life.

The Resurrection of Christ is a wonder. The greatest wonder of all wonders. The kind of wonder that should move God’s people to unfettered praise and unyielding tears of amazement. Yet I fear that life has dulled our senses of a sense of wonder. We have grown cynical and calloused. We have developed spiritual cataracts to the point that we can no longer see God’s miracles in our midst. And though the saying is true that wonders never cease, I fear we’ve ceased to be wondered.

But we serve a God who is still working wonders. Part of being Unashamed Witnesses--who go higher in worship--is to be on high alert for the miraculous activity of God. So on this Resurrection Sunday, we are kicking off our new sermon and Bible study series, Expect a Miracle, focusing on the miracles, signs, and wonders of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel of John. For when we recognize God’s miracles in Scripture, we will be poised to recognize God’s miracles in our daily lives.

Growing in Christ,

Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah

Jesus’ Final Week on Earth

Today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, the commemoration of Jesus’ final week on earth, his crucifixion, and resurrection. For believers, this is in fact the most wonderful time of the year. As we enter this week, I Invite you to spend some time reflecting on Jesus’ final days:

• Palm Sunday: Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem;

• Holy Monday: Jesus curses a fig tree and cleared the Temple;

• Holy Tuesday: Jesus teaches on faith and the hypocrisy of the religious leaders.

• Spy Wednesday: Jesus was betrayed by Judas and anointed for burial by a woman,

• Maundy Thursday: Jesus’ final Passover meal with the disciples;

• Good Friday: The crucifixion of Jesus where prophecy was fulfilled;

• Holy Saturday: The day of silence on earth as Jesus descended into hell.

Today also marks the beginning of the end of the Lenten Season. I am grateful for each of you who has made the sacrifice and joined the 6:30 a.m. call as we have prayed and read through Alicia Britt Chole’s “Forty Days of Decrease.” As we enter into this final week, I want to invite each of us to do two things:

• Consider your greatest desire. What is one thing that you are seeking from God? Each day this week, lift that request in prayer. The Bible says in Psalm 37:4, that when we delight in God, that God will give us the desires of our heart. We have spent this intentional time delighting in God and I believe God will keep God’s end of the bargain.

• Reflect on this time together. What was this experience like for you? What did you learn about God? What did you learn about yourself? Has this time contributed to your spiritual development? If yes, how? What long term habit, practice, or behavior will you implement as a result of this time? Next week I will have a survey so that we can use your reflections to prepare for future prayer gatherings and studies.

Growing in Christ,

Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah

Springing Forward

I don’t know about you, but the time change throws me for a loop. No matter how much I prepare, I end up disoriented and discombobulated. I am okay in the Fall, but in the Spring it always takes my body and my mind a few weeks to adjust. Even so, I look forward to Springing Forward. For as much as the time change requires an adjustment, it serves as a reminder of the transformative power of God:

From gray bareness to verdant blossoms;

From Winter to Spring;

From death to new life;

From sin to righteousness;

From sickness to healing;

From bondage to liberty;

From fear to faith;

From self to the Savior;

From carnal to Spiritual;

From tradition to intimacy and;

From Ash Wednesday to Resurrection Sunday;

As noted above in the transformation from Ash Wednesday to the Resurrection, the time change also signals the nearness of Holy Week and the immense love that God demonstrated to humanity through the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. It signals that, when you put your absolute trust In Jesus, that death does not have the final say and that as Christians, we are a people of LIFE and life abundant. 

Growing in Christ,

Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah