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"God will take care of you." |
The 1st Tuesday of November is an extremely important day for our country — it is ELECTION DAY. Election Day is the day we choose who will be our political leaders. Election Day is a day for Christians to rise up and be counted by exercising their God given right , as Americans, to vote. As Christians living in America, we have a dual citizenship with a dual responsibility. We are citizens of the Kingdom of God and responsible to live as such.We are citizens of the earth, specifically to the United States of America, and responsible to live as such. Yes, absolutely, Christians are to be involved in politics! It’s not only our privilege but our responsibility. We are called to be salt and light in a saltless and dark world. As we approach Election Day, how can we be faithful to our heavenly and earthly responsibilities?First, we Recognize that all authorities (including the government) are God allowed (Romans 13:1-5; I Peter 2:13-14).Second, we Pray for our government authorities (I Timothy 2:1-6). We pray for God’s will to be accomplished by and through them (Matthew 6:10). We pray that we ourselves have wisdom (James 1:5).Third, we Stay Informed and educated on persons and issues (I Chronicles 12:32).Fourth, we Offer a Prophetic Voice as spiritual watchmen (Ezekiel 33:1-7) and exercise our constitutional rights: The right to Petition by way of letters, phone calls, lobbying and marching; The right to Share the gospel with those in elected office, as Paul did many times (Acts 21,24,25,26,28; Romans 16:16,23); The right to Serve in public office ourselves, as Nehemiah, Joseph, and Daniel did; and the right to cast our Vote on ELECTION DAY, a privilege not permitted under Roman dictatorship when God inspired the New Testament to be written.Jesus calls us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 6:13-16). Let’s fulfill our Christian calling by putting works to our faith. This ELECTION DAY, let’s not be lazy or asleep. Let’s GET OUT & VOTE!--Pastor Rey“10 Years After!”10 years ago, on Sunday September 6, 1998 I began the pastorate here at Hampton Bays Assembly of God. Technically, I was elected by the Church Membership on July 12, but it took two months to transition from my pastorate in Malaga, New Jersey to Long Island. Officially, I was installed by our New York District Superintendent on Sunday November 29th. In between we dedicated our daughter Shannon to the Lord on Sunday October 11th. My how time has truly flown by. The first year was a whirlwind as we commuted from Hauppauge to Hampton Bays where we lived with Vivian’s folks. (The church had sold its parsonage to purchase the present church property.) I worked 25 hours a week at U.P.S. and we spent much time looking for a home closer to the church. 1 year later, by the Grace of God and with a U.S.D.A. loan, we bought a house and moved to Hampton Bays. I quit my U.P.S. job and began driving school bus part-time and closer to home to continue supplementing my income. ( I did so on and off for @ 4 more years.) Our house has been our home now for 9 years and we love it! Over the course of time we have become a part of the Hampton Bays community as well as the church. Dereck and Shannon are growing up through Hampton Bay's schools, learning, and making friends. In 2001 Vivian went back to school to work on her graduate education. In 2003 she graduated from Dowling College with both a Master of Science in Elementary Education and Special Education. Vivian is now permanently duel certified to teach elementary and special education in New York State. Vivian’s return to the work force as a teacher, after 8 years of being home with the kids, has enabled me to work full time at the church. The generous increases in salary over the years, as the church has grown, has also made this possible As we have grown and matured so has the congregation of Hampton Bays Assembly of God. Our facilities are close to running out of room on Sunday mornings. Our finances have increased as well. We have always paid our bills (and pastor’s salary too) on time. We have paid off our church property mortgage early and are presently debt free. Our facilities have been maintained, improved and remodeled. Our ministries have slowly but steadily blossomed to meet the ever growing needs of the church and community. Our monthly missionary support has also grown. Most of all we have all matured spiritually in the Lord. Our 5 fold purpose as a church remains strongly the same: Worship, Discipleship, Fellowship, Ministry, and Evangelism. It has been a privilege and joy to be a part of God’s saving, delivering, healing, and discipling, in and through this church. Dedicating babies, officiating weddings, baptizing, praying, counseling, fellowshipping, and of course eating, have all been highlights. We have had our sad times too. Saying, “See you later,” to some of our charter and/or early church members like Ray and Emilie Jackson, Francis Genco, and Mae Gallo. We also said, “See you later,” to Vivian’s dad after 9 years of battling cancer. So many new people have joined the church over the years. But, many have also moved away, left to attend other churches, or fell away from following Christ. Along the way, the church has had a few challenging individuals who required confrontation, correction, and care from the Pastor. But overall, these 10 years have been years of unity more than conflict, joy more than sorrow, and growth more than decline. Praise Be To Our Lord Jesus Christ! When we came here 10 years ago we inherited a healthy church with leaders on the church council (church board) who were godly, dedicated, and humble. Though the make up of persons on the church council has changed somewhat, it remains the same to this day. What a blessing it is to serve the Lord together with such leaders. The church is a body with many members. It is more than just a Pastor. Over the years so many people have served faithfully and diligently in the various ministries of the church. For this I am so grateful. I could go on and on summarizing and highlighting all that has happened in and through all of us these past years, but I will stop now. The past has been great but I look forward to an even greater future. God willing, and should Jesus’ return tarry, my family and I will be here another 10 years. “20 years after.” Just imagine what I will be able to write then! 10 years older, and still you’re Pastor, Pastor Rey
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