The Difference Faith Makes

We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 NIV

Every Friday since October we have been honored to share with you The Good Stuff—inspiring stories from so many of you throughout the Bay Area.

As these verses express, Margo and I along with the Kims and the Manuels are beyond thankful to be a part of a fellowship with you whose faith, love, and hope do so much and inspire so many.

Our souls have been energized by all kinds of stories about needs being met during these dark times—from E-Hoops in San Francisco to Bags of Love in Santa Cruz, from toy drives and clothing drives in Silicon Valley, Alameda, and Contra Costa to lives being changed with baptisms all throughout the Bay. This is the difference faith makes! It makes a light shine through the darkness!

Be a tiger

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV

The Lunar New Year last week ushered in the “Year of the Tiger” according to Chinese tradition. A tiger symbolizes bravery and strength across many cultures, and this symbol reminded us of our need for courage and strength as we start this new year. Scripture tells us that these qualities come along with firm faith in God. And by faith, we at the BACC are committed to building a life-changing, non-traditional, and non-denominational church. It all begins with every one of us having a walk with God that gives us faith.

God is answering our prayers as we are coming out of the latest Omicron surge and are now able to meet together in person. We are very excited to be back together for in-person Sunday services and Let’s Talk Nights throughout the week because face-to-face connection is so refreshing and encouraging to our faith.

In recent weeks, we have taken these opportunities to talk about how our faith is holding up under the strain of pandemic stress and isolation. The waves of uncertainty in the pandemic can affect us all in different ways, and we are grateful to have spiritual relationships in which we can help each other understand how our unique stressors have affected our faith and inspire each other to grow to have more faith than ever before.

We’re happy to tell you today that we have worked with the Deep Spirituality team to contribute a bundle of devotionals aimed at helping walk us through this specific moment with faith. Each of these devotionals teaches us how to grow in our faith, throw off any unbelief nurtured by the latest wave of the pandemic, and walk forward into a new beginning of great possibilities. This will strengthen us for all the great things that lie ahead! You can check out those articles here:

• 5 Simple Steps to Rebuilding Your Faith After a Covid Surge
• 3 Ways Your Faith Can Transform Your Friendships
• What to Do When the Pandemic Shrinks Your Faith

More Good Stuff To Come

As we all continue to grow in our faith, we know God will use every one of you to shine brightly no matter what comes your way! Keep doing all of that Good Stuff and we will see more and more lives change in this Year of the Tiger!

Till next week,

Scott and Margo Colvin

South Bay Lead Ministers