Pastor Weekly - 11/19/25
Hello ICC Family!
It has been a while since I have written one of these! I had high hopes of continuing to send out a weekly update out while we were in Asia the past couple of weeks, but it didn’t happen. I would blame a lack of good cell service or Wi-Fi, a lack of electricity, a lack of time, and a lack of sleep. But the truth is that it was just really good to be fully present in the Philippines and in Thailand, talking to so many people in those places that are called and burdened to see the name of the Lord proclaimed. I didn’t want to lose even a minute while I was there when those minutes were so limited. And I comfort myself also by thinking that you probably needed a break from reading these each week anyway. :-)
I shared a little of this on Sunday, but the trip has breathed fresh energy and passion into me as your pastor. Seeing the beauty and need of the nations might not seem like it would directly link to a renewed calling to see the Lord bless and use International Christian Church here in Goose Creek, SC, but it indeed has for me. I keep thinking of the Lord’s final commission to his disciples as He ascended into heaven:
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.
And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8
As humans, we have a limited amount of energy, time, and passion to give to people and causes. We can’t be equally engaged in and passionate about every ministry that Bible-believing and Jesus-loving people are involved with. And hence the need for all different kinds of Christian ministry organizations and small groups. There are churches that are focused on school engagement, while others are passionate about the pro-life movement. Some churches have grief ministries, while others have divorce ministries. Or prison ministries, or refugee ministries, etc. They are all needed! But if one person tried to be passionate about all of them, they would quickly run out of time and money, and very quickly burn out.
Hence, the need for the church as a whole to take on the commission that Jesus hands his disciples here in Acts 1:8. There was not one disciple that was going to be his witness in Jerusalem, and all through Judea, and in Samaria, and to each end of the earth. No, they were going to accomplish this task collectively - each person playing their part. The disciples didn’t draw assignments out of a hat. They ended up pursuing their own personal calling as the Lord revealed it to them and opened doors. They responded in faith and courage to do their part!
That is the opportunity that we have as a congregation as well - to play our part in seeing the Great Commission accomplished. The Lord has given us ministry connections here in the Lowcountry, as well as in the Philippines and Kenya and other places as well. He has placed brothers and sisters in our midst that have burdens for ministry that are wide-ranging and that truly stretch to the ends of the earth. As a church, we can’t support or be involved in every place or among every people. But wherever the Lord has called us to be as a congregation, I want to be committed and fully involved. Travelling in person to the Philippines allows me to advocate and preach more passionately and explicitly about the needs there. It will be a while before it happens, but I confess that in the back of my mind is already the idea of making the same kind of trip to Kenya with Brother Winston in the future. I am praying that some of you will even now begin to pray about whether you should come with me! The vision and hope of the nations can and should drive us a church to passionately share the love of God everywhere we go!
The Lord is building his church! No matter what the headlines would have you believe, or the culture makes you feel… do not doubt that there is a resurrection to come. There is perfect healing to come. Jesus will return. There will be a new heaven and a new earth, and the bride of Christ - his church - will shine as it is bathed in and reflects the glory of God. Maranatha!
A few notes for you…
Blessings to you all!
And know that I am praying for you!
Pastor Aaron
It has been a while since I have written one of these! I had high hopes of continuing to send out a weekly update out while we were in Asia the past couple of weeks, but it didn’t happen. I would blame a lack of good cell service or Wi-Fi, a lack of electricity, a lack of time, and a lack of sleep. But the truth is that it was just really good to be fully present in the Philippines and in Thailand, talking to so many people in those places that are called and burdened to see the name of the Lord proclaimed. I didn’t want to lose even a minute while I was there when those minutes were so limited. And I comfort myself also by thinking that you probably needed a break from reading these each week anyway. :-)
I shared a little of this on Sunday, but the trip has breathed fresh energy and passion into me as your pastor. Seeing the beauty and need of the nations might not seem like it would directly link to a renewed calling to see the Lord bless and use International Christian Church here in Goose Creek, SC, but it indeed has for me. I keep thinking of the Lord’s final commission to his disciples as He ascended into heaven:
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.
And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8
As humans, we have a limited amount of energy, time, and passion to give to people and causes. We can’t be equally engaged in and passionate about every ministry that Bible-believing and Jesus-loving people are involved with. And hence the need for all different kinds of Christian ministry organizations and small groups. There are churches that are focused on school engagement, while others are passionate about the pro-life movement. Some churches have grief ministries, while others have divorce ministries. Or prison ministries, or refugee ministries, etc. They are all needed! But if one person tried to be passionate about all of them, they would quickly run out of time and money, and very quickly burn out.
Hence, the need for the church as a whole to take on the commission that Jesus hands his disciples here in Acts 1:8. There was not one disciple that was going to be his witness in Jerusalem, and all through Judea, and in Samaria, and to each end of the earth. No, they were going to accomplish this task collectively - each person playing their part. The disciples didn’t draw assignments out of a hat. They ended up pursuing their own personal calling as the Lord revealed it to them and opened doors. They responded in faith and courage to do their part!
That is the opportunity that we have as a congregation as well - to play our part in seeing the Great Commission accomplished. The Lord has given us ministry connections here in the Lowcountry, as well as in the Philippines and Kenya and other places as well. He has placed brothers and sisters in our midst that have burdens for ministry that are wide-ranging and that truly stretch to the ends of the earth. As a church, we can’t support or be involved in every place or among every people. But wherever the Lord has called us to be as a congregation, I want to be committed and fully involved. Travelling in person to the Philippines allows me to advocate and preach more passionately and explicitly about the needs there. It will be a while before it happens, but I confess that in the back of my mind is already the idea of making the same kind of trip to Kenya with Brother Winston in the future. I am praying that some of you will even now begin to pray about whether you should come with me! The vision and hope of the nations can and should drive us a church to passionately share the love of God everywhere we go!
The Lord is building his church! No matter what the headlines would have you believe, or the culture makes you feel… do not doubt that there is a resurrection to come. There is perfect healing to come. Jesus will return. There will be a new heaven and a new earth, and the bride of Christ - his church - will shine as it is bathed in and reflects the glory of God. Maranatha!
A few notes for you…
- Make sure you keep in mind the meeting of the church that will take place Sunday evening at 6:30. It is a great opportunity for us to come together as a congregation to interact with leadership and look at and pray about how the Lord is leading us in the year ahead. Click on the button below to download a copy of the 2026 proposed budget.
- Please note once again… We will NOT be having a Thanksgiving meal at the church after Sunday service. Please enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with your friends and families! If you happen to be on your own this year for the holiday, do not hesitate to get in touch with me, as there are several homes that have stated they would love to host more people.
- We will also not have any evening activities at the church next week on Wednesday or Thursday.
- Sunday, November 30th will be the start of the Christmas Advent season. Pray that it would be a wonderful time of worship and growth at ICC this year. And be thinking even now of how you can invite your friends and neighbors to join us in our Christmas festivities at ICC!
Blessings to you all!
And know that I am praying for you!
Pastor Aaron
Posted in Pastor Weekly