Many things in this life are fleeting. You hold moments for short periods of time. Once you consider something, it's in the past. It takes hard work for something to have longevity.
This past weekend, during our first-ever Retreat, 4Sixteen hit its anniversary. That's right, one year ago this week we didn't exist as a ministry.
One year anniversaries are important as a source of encouragement, they aren't big and impressive like ten years, twenty-five years, fifty years, etc. However, they serve to demonstrate just how much work was placed on an endeavor and how much dedication it took to take it through this year. I must admit that we have come a long way in this year. Looking back at the calendar, there are literally dozens of activities, weeks of classes, and thousands of memories. We have hundreds of photos, some videos, many friends, and quite the positive and optimistic outlook. One year took us from uncertain promise to thoughtful perseverance.
There aren't many ways to commemorate an anniversary, I mean, we've really seen it all. However, this one is one of my most favorites. I put together a photographic slide show of the major events we've experienced throughout the year, set to music. It is embedded at the bottom of the article and the direct link is here.
When you put about a hundred or so photos together to three and a half minutes of music, you do see the year in a new perspective. The immense amount of events, the incredible dedication and perseverance of our group, and the love we share for God and each other is palpable. What's equally interesting is the amount of material that didn't make it in. The New Year's Eve Party, the various locations we held Family Circles, bits of classes like Worship Wednesdays, service projects, and many more events serve as testament of our vitality and success.
4Sixteen was founded on the principle that everyone in God's church has a purpose. Everyone has a talent they can share and everyone can use edification through fellowship and outreach. We take our name from Ephesians 4:16. Go ahead, look it up. Here's the link. Our purpose is outlined in our mission statement: Praise, Service, Fellowship. Three simple statements that guide what we do. I truly believe we have been successful this year of accomplishing that, and more.
So what now? Being around for a year is pretty good, but knowing us, we can do better. Let's make this ministry last five years, ten years, forever! Let's take the lessons we've learned and take them to the next level. We've been learning about martyrs, let's be martyrs. Let's serve our community, our brothers and sisters, in ways we've never done before. Let's enjoy each other and love each other more and more. Let's continue to be the amazing ministry that we are!
So, from the bottom of my heart, I praise God and thank him for the marvelous blessing he has given me and this ministry, for letting me be a part of something so great. I equally thank my colleagues in the leadership team, and our elders for supporting us and letting us exist. But I especially want to thank all of you, our members. Without your conscious decision to follow the Lord and be in this ministry and make it what it is and share your unique talents, we wouldn't survive this year, let alone celebrate it. I'm sure I also speak for the rest of the leadership team when I say these things, for they praise and thank the Lord just the same.
I look forward to the next year and others after that to see what amazing experiences God has in store for us. I look forward to sharing in each other's talents, stories, and love. I look forward to growing our relationships among each other and with our new friends, brothers, and sisters. Thank you for being so amazing, I love you all.
-Gaby
