Pastor’s Perspective July 2025

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
²  It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
³  As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. Psalm 133:1-3 (KJV)

Hopewell, please forgive me for writing the entire 133^rd Psalm, but I am Elephant excited and Hippopotamus happy with the unity we have displayed and demonstrated to raise all the funds for the 3G renovation project. And as you have heard me say more times than either of us can count. “Wherever God finds unity that’s the place He commands His blessings.” And He has commanded His blessings upon the Hopewell Family. As you may recall last year during our 78^th Church Anniversary we accepted the challenge to give sacrificially to secure the funds to renovate Hopewell West. I want to thank everyone for your sacrificial gifts, especially to those who went the extra mile to get the 3G project over the finish line. THANK YOU! So, with this exhilaration in the atmosphere, let us enter July Joyously. Yes, this month is Joyous July because we have much to be joyful about.

First, for the many blessings God has bestowed upon the Hopewell family. We have witnessed God’s abundant Grace and intervening Power as God not only preserved, but provided vital organs, healed infirmed bodies, mended marriages, and gave needed promotions.

Secondly, on 3rd Sunday we will celebrate our 79^th Church Anniversary. As always, I thank God for our faithful and courageous founding members, it is apparent and evident by this great church faithfulness and progression that our founders intended to organize a church with Christ as the Chief Cornerstone. Also, I am excited again, to have my friend and covenant partner Rev. Alex Bunion, Senior Pastor of The Church at Pine Hill, in Valdosta, Georgia, to be our guest speaker, and I am convinced that God will give him a powerful word to empower and encourage us to remain faithful.

And Finally, The 3G project will be completed this month and a tentative date for the dedication of The Hopewell West 3G Sanctuary is scheduled for August 17^th during our worship service. It is going to be a wonderful service and blessing for our youth. And I am asking every member in advance to please invite your family and friends, but especially every young person you know. This is going to be a solemn and significant occasion that will launch the 3G ministry on a trajectory that will have an impact on the kingdom until the Lord’s return.

Hopewell, I’m sorry, for such a long Pastor’s Perspective, but in closing as always, I ask with a heart filled with excitement and encouragement, that you continue to follow me even as I follow Christ.

Experiencing God’s Intervening Power,

Pastor R.C. Stanley