Kim and I are convinced that a vacation from ministry is not a vacation from God. We have discovered the joy of attending various churches while on vacation.

I wanted to visit the Field of Dreams in Dyersville, Iowa, on our trek west. Our visit to that special location would fall on a Sunday, so Kim and I selected a city with a good church. What I didn’t realize is how few SBC churches are in this part of the country. The closest SBC church to Dyersville was in Dubuque, Iowa, and was called New Life Church.

As we entered, I wanted to worship. But I also can’t help but look at things like a pastor. What did they do well? What needed improvement? What lessons could I learn that I might implement in the church God has called me to lead and feed?

When we entered, we found some seats and were almost immediately welcomed by the founding pastor, Rex Rains. When he heard that I was a pastor, he shared some of the exciting details of what God had done at their church. He said that he had planted the church 20 years earlier because there wasn’t an SBC church within 50 miles. Then, he showed me a screenshot on his phone where the NAMB Send Network had ran an article saying that the people of Dubuque, Iowa, are (something like) 98% unchurched (or unreached).

We were also welcomed by a precious couple, Josiah and Lindsey. They made us feel right at home and it reminded me of how important it is to cultivate a church culture that not only welcomes visitors, but makes them feel welcomed.

This first picture was taken as Kim was talking with someone.

The service began with worshipful congregational music, announcements, a brief sermon, and a Q&A with the founding pastor (Rex Rain) and his wife, as the church celebrated its 20th anniversary.

It was such a wonderful, Jesus-focused, celebratory morning of worship. Even though we had never seen these folks and won’t until Jesus takes us all home, it was great being with Christian brothers and sisters to celebrate what God was doing in their midst as He was writing their story.

As we left, we headed to Dyersville to the Field of Dreams.

Knowing how difficult pastoring can be, I sent a very encouraging, reflective email to the pastors this evening.