The Sumner Baptist Church recently got a new pastor, we are just so happy to welcome Zak and Sara Beth Podewils, who bring their new young leadership energy and commitment to serve.
After prayerful consideration they accepted our invitation and answered God’s strong call: “How Can I Help.”
So far, he has baptized one young church member, the first of many more to come.
On his first Sunday, his grandmother and grandfather showed with his mother, his sister and her husband and baby. It felt like they were delivering their child of God into our hands for safe keeping in Sumner.
I’m telling you, Brother Zak landed in the perfect place for a young 26-year-old man to be. Our church deacons are men I listen to and that says a lot. A couple of lifelong farmers who have raised sons and daughters are some of the wisest men I know, and the whole bunch are salt of the earth honest as the day is long, with common sense and love the Lord. With the balance being young men, deacons with young families, Brother Zak is covered in both leadership and friendship departments.
I’ve heard folks talk about some churches that seem stuffy or unwelcoming, too fancy or rich, they feel looked down upon because they aren’t dressed right. Well, I look at our folks and I’m seeing faces that shine from knowing God. I see folks dressed up one day a week because it’s the only day they get out of the house or get dressed. In my case, if I came the way I felt, I’d be in one of my painting mumu dresses with or without showering, and folks would still be glad to see me and understand. My friends would come bring me cake later on.
I’m not about to make my husband wear a jacket or a tie; if he wants to wear blue jeans, those deacons aren’t gonna mind a bit. They are just gonna be glad he is well enough to make it.
That’s what you want in a church. That’s what a church family is all about: people who care about you. But you have to give them a chance to know you. You can’t just put your toe in the water and run off saying “I don’t fit in.” You are welcomed to come to any potluck without a pot to get to know us. We don’t have a rule.
OK. Brother Zak wants to know how can he help. He can help reach the young un-churched folks like my grandson in Texas, who never gets to church because he has two siblings with severe special needs. He can’t drive himself, yet there is no childcare or class for special needs children so he stays home. He doesn’t know Jesus. In our community with kids all going to different schools, kids may not always know each other and it’s possible for kids and adults to slip through the cracks.
Or, and this is a biggie, you may be like me and got sprinkled or baptized because everyone else was doing it and you knew how to say the right words at 8 but you had no clue in your heart. You called yourself a Christian because you felt His presence and felt covered in your mother’s prayers and faith, but you still waited until you were a grandmother before you made that public declaration of faith and went under the water. Yes, it made a difference in my life. Yes, we all need the community of fellow Christians. I wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t so.
So, if you are not exactly sure what the Bible means because you never got a practical understanding, if you want to learn directly from the good book and not just be entertained, talked down to or judged, come make a friend with some of us folks. Brother Zak and Sara Beth serve your community. Church starts at 11 a.m. Blue jeans and boots welcomed, but dogs outside, please.
