Dear Theophilus:: September 2003

Destination: City Line

by Pastor Steve Kim

Hi Emmanuel!

Praise God for what He is doing amongst us. Can you feel Him? Can you see Him working in people's lives? I've been at Emmanuel for about 6 years now and I can tell that God is moving. People are coming, lives are being changed and we are maturing together as a church. It is so good to be part of a church where we can see God at work and where things are happening.

The City Line Service was born precisely out of this reason. We believed that God was moving and doing His work and we felt that we had an opportunity to make a bigger impact for God in our generation by taking some steps of faith. So this past March, the idea and vision was formulated for a third service on City Line Avenue, which would eventually become a church plant. We envisioned a service, which would attract a diverse group of people and hopefully even those who are unchurched.

It's only been three weeks since we've started our service on City Line, but I have been learning and being reminded of so much. I wanted to share just three of those things. First, I miss Emmanuel! I am only 15 minutes away on Sundays yet I feel like I am in a different city. Being away for the first time in 6 years has made me miss people at Emmanuel a lot. I miss the fellowship on Fridays and being part of the worship on Sundays. Believe it or not I even miss the leaders' meetings. I've begun to think how blessed Emmanuel is since I am able to look from the outside in.

Secondly, maybe it's because I miss Emmanuel so much, but I am so appreciative of those who have committed to serve at the City Line service as part of the launch team. They have made sacrifices by leaving Emmanuel and jumping into a service which future is relatively unknown. As I see this kind of commitment from them, I am energized. They have truly been a source of encouragement and strength for me these past few months. They are diverse and gifted people who are capable and passionate about the vision. I see how God has brought each individual to be a part of this team so that we can accomplish something that is greater than ourselves, doing God's eternal work.

Thirdly, when people ask me how the service is going, I tell them it has a lot of potential. Let me explain. Our average attendance thus far has been about 50 people but at least half of them have been newcomers! The attendees include some friends of the launch team members, medical students from nearby schools, and still others have come to our service by reading about it on the internet. We are ecstatic that God is bringing people to our service but the more encouraging fact is that many are beginning to commit to being regular worshippers at the City Line service. Another encouraging note is that our service looks diverse. We want to reflect our generation in all its diversity.

In conclusion, these days when I wake up in the mornings, I am filled with both excitement to be a part of this new service and sadness that I have to leave Emmanuel but I remind myself that this is all for God. The reason I am leaving Emmanuel to start another service and the reason we are working so hard to put a service together is so that His kingdom might expand and more people might be reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that God will move powerfully, He is already doing it; I just want to be a part of what He is doing. I pray and hope that our City Line service might play a role in furthering God's kingdom in our generation.