125 years is a long time for anything to exist.  But for a church, it is almost unheard of in today’s culture.  But as I mentioned, it was not because it had a large population to draw on or a populous attraction or the publicity of a famous individual.  It was because God knew that the people who started this church would win life after life after life for the kingdom of heaven.  Countless individuals can trace their spiritual journey to this church.  Over a half a dozen churches were started and are still reaching out to their cities and towns.  Several dozens of people have be sent out and/or supported by this church in works and ministries around the world.  And I did not even get a chance on Sunday to mention the acorn banks, or the sundresses made, or the children supported through World Vision, or the many pastors who went on from this church to other places to preach and teach.  Plus I was told after church that Dale was a pastor of the Eden Missionary church just a few years after Rev. Birkey started it.  All because God led just a few people to be faithful to him.

  And God still is not yet done with this church.  We too can live the kind of lives that our founding members lived.  Lives willing to reach out and touch those around us with the hope of Jesus.  Lives that touch other lives that touch other lives . . . And if we do, this church will last another 125 years, if the Lord does not return before that time.  But think about all those who we will see one day in heaven that made it their because of your testimony and mine.  May all who come behind us find us faithful.