If it's been said as the introduction to one article in the last 18 months, it's been said 100 times: "What a year!"

But it's true. For many of us, maybe all of us, the past year and a half were the toughest season of ministry we've ever seen. In fact, as weeks turned into months and months are now turning into years, there's no real way to adequately describe this moment in history. When it comes to our local churches, the pressures, decisions, and distance have been almost too much to bear. And yet, I say almost, because that is how Scripture speaks to us about these pressures.

In his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul reminds them that it is through the church that his manifold wisdom is demonstrated to the authorities in the heavens (Eph. 3:10). The angels watch on in wonder as the very plan of God unfolds, and they are watching the church. It is not some nation, corporation, academic institution, or social movement that outlives this present age. It's the church. the simple church, that reigns alongside Christ in his kingdom. Jesus himself tells us that even the gates of hell will not prevail against his church (Matt. 16:18). The church outlives history. We accomplish our mission.

Even in the hardest times, that is cause to celebrate!

This year, the Union Baptist Association is using our annual meeting as an opportunity for celebration, to come together and worship the Lord of the heavens and the earth and thank him for his great faithfulness to use in this extended season of need. What is more, we want to do this together, all of our churches across the Houston region, coming together for a city-wide worship celebration. Sunday evening, October 24, is an opportunity for you and everyone from your church to join us in this demonstration of unity.

We have much to celebrate.

The pandemic has produced many stories of hardships for churches. We know stories of loss and stories of conflict. We know that many churches are still assessing needs, and honestly, looking at the future with uncertainty. But when we lift our eyes to see God at work throughout the region in his churches, we see a story of faithfulness.

We've seen Christ work through his churches in unbelievable ways. Churches have shown true love for neighbors, giving up their preferences for others. Churches have worked hard to continue engaging this city in gospel ministry even through the challenges of separation.  Churches have been a refuge against fear, a place of community, in a time of desperation and isolation. In his grace, God has worked to sustain us, to nourish us, and even to use us for his glory. There is much to celebrate.

No single church can reach a city, but when our churches work together, we witness the growth of the gospel across an entire region. 

We should celebrate together.

The benefit of gathering across the city is tremendous. As local churches, we can often stay in our own lane, doing our own local ministry, and not see that we are part of something bigger. Yes, we celebrate God's faithfulness, but we should celebrate it together.

Recall the moment when your church gathered again after a season of physical distancing. The church is meant to be together, we are designed to fellowship with one another, and there is a joy that comes from the community of Christ that cannot be explained, except through the new life and new body that is fashioned in the gospel. Each of our congregations has experienced the celebration of regathering as a local body. Now, let's come together as a city of churches to worship together, uniting around our common confession and praising God for the work that he is doing in us.

This celebration is for our pastors and church leaders in the association, but it is not only for our leaders. Our hope is that you will come as a congregation. Consider this city-wide gathering your Sunday evening gathering, and invite your whole congregation.

Keelan Cook serves as Associate Director of Union Baptist Association and Instructor of North American Missiology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His primary areas of ministry focus include urban missiology, church planting, church revitalization, and unreached people groups.

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