Having just taken my firstborn child to college to begin her freshman year, I am well aware right now of the mixed emotions that come with transitions. It’s exciting to move forward and it’s sad to say goodbye, with excitement and sadness both...
Read moreGathering with Gratitude
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus...
Read moreSelf Evident Truths
Racism is sin and black lives matter. Neither one of these convictions should be hard to grasp for people of faith who read the Bible and take Jesus seriously. If we believe, as the book of Genesis tells us, that God created all people in God’s...
Read moreA Thoughtful Path Forward
On the next page, you will find the plan for re-opening the Providence campus and resuming church-related activities. This plan was developed by our Covid-19 Task Force, which has been meeting regularly since late March to help make the decisions...
Read moreFinishing Strong
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 There aren’t a whole lot of ways to encourage people who are running a long race. As a former crosscountry runner, I know...
Read morePreparing for Easter
“I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among...
Read moreThe Essential Element
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2 What we read in the book of Hebrews is echoed throughout the New Testament: Hospitality is an essential element of...
Read moreBeing A Sending Church
There are two components to being a church that makes Sending Apostles a priority. The first component is nurturing, encouraging, and equipping people at Providence to become Christians who are open to hearing—and, then, saying Yes—to...
Read moreA Race Well Run
Randy Ballard is retiring on January 5. We’ve set aside a special day to celebrate properly his 23 years of ministry with us, but January 5 will be his last official day on staff at Providence. On the one hand, I imagine that you join...
Read moreA Break from Tradition
Warning: This Christmas letter is going to break with tradition. Typically, of course, the standard holiday letters we get from friends and family this time of year are filled with good tidings of great joy about all the amazing things that have...
Read moreOur Common Goal? The Common Good
In the Old Testament book of Jeremiah, God tells the Israelites living in Babylon “to seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jeremiah...
Read moreSummoning the Absolute Best
It’s just not possible, is it? There’s no way we can give 110 percent—of anything, to anything. Still, that’s never stopped coaches, teachers, bosses, and other performance-driven motivators from asking for it. “Give me 110 percent!” they’ll...
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