(From my column “Looking Forward and Glancing Back” in the SGT monthly newsletter, June 28, 1991)
As we look forward to next season, we have been seeking God’s direction. God has been good to us over the years and has met our needs as we have been obedient to His will. As we have settled into our “Promised Land,” we have found it to be easy to get too comfortable and stop growing. We do not believe that is God’s will for Stained Glass Theatre, nor do we believe that he will continue to bless us if we just sit back and relax. We must move forward; we must seek new ways to better serve the Lord with all that He has given us.
This past year has been for us, perhaps, an oasis, a time to rest and gather strength. But there is a growing sense among those who lead SGT that the “breather” is over and it is now time to plunge into the 90s. And it is with resolve and God’s leadership that we do so.
So where will that resolve take us? We don’t have all the answers, yet. We will move forward one step at a time as we feel God leading us. Some of those steps have already been revealed and set into motion. Others will follow in the weeks, months, and years to come. We covet your prayers and support as we move forward. It’s going to be exciting to see and experience all that God intends.
Growth and forward movement require a new vision—a vision we now have. The new vision is really an old vision that has somehow been neglected. That vision is to REACH THE LOST! Of course, you say, isn’t it always? Well, to tell the truth, no, not always. In fact, it is often the very thing that gets lost in the hustle and bustle of serving the Lord.
When we began SGT nine years ago, it was a goal and dream that the Theatre would be a place (neutral ground, non-denominational) where Christians would feel free and comfortable to invite non-Christians to hear of the saving power of Jesus. In truth, that has not been the reality of what has happened. We soon discovered that most (99.9%) of our audiences were Christians, already churched and active. So we began to develop shows for Christians. Don’t get me wrong; we cherish our Christian patrons, and we need them. They serve as the backbone of our support and make the ministry possible. What we are saying is that we must now get on with the task of reaching lost people. And we have now learned that to do that we must have your help.
The future of SGT is going to be about soul winning. We begin with a season of shows all with evangelistic themes—telling the Good News, sharing the JOY of Christ. It will be our Season of Joy. Yes, we have a vision and YOU, our loyal patrons, are very much a part of that vision. We cannot get the lost and unchurched to SGT to see shows that present a message of salvation, but you can. That will be our focus for next year—to encourage our patrons to help us by inviting friends, neighbors, or co-workers to SGT. And one of the best ways to get new people to SGT is to buy tickets and give them away. Please consider making SGT a tool for you to use in REACHING THOSE WHO NEED THE LORD.
Looking to the future is exciting. We hope that you will catch the vision of winning the lost and help us to reach out to Springfield and beyond. There is a lost world—people who need to hear of our loving Savior. Help us to help! God has created and developed Stained Glass Theatre to be a mighty showcase for proclaiming the Gospel! We have the golden opportunity to do wonderful things in the name of the Lord and for His Kingdom. Let’s do it together! Let’s begin now!
COMING NEXT: A SEASON OF JOY
We believe that we must do better in reaching the lost. To do that, we need the help of all who faithfully support this ministry.
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