Reach Out Fellowship – Colonie, NY – July 9, 2017

Sometimes worship is designed to please man rather than God. Some churches have become centers for entertainment rather than centers for worship and serious Biblical instruction. The gospel has been portrayed as an opportunity for prosperity. “A life more abundant” has been redefined as wealth and power rather than a life defined by the abiding presence of God Himself. Many leaders have used their abilities to enhance and glitterize the church to attract seekers by appealing to their soulish desires.

Not so at Reach Out Fellowship. Senior Pastor Jerry Lynn and his wife Kelly Lynn are not only servants with gifts, but they both are servants with great ability. Their ABILITY is complimented with stABILITY, accountABILITY, responce-ABILITY, cred-ABILITY and DurABILITY.

For over 35 years Pastor Jerry Lynn has faithfully and tirelessly been a steward of the amazing teaching talent God has given him. His passion is to spread the news of God’s five-fold salvation – spiritually, emotionally, physically, financially and relationally. He, along with his parents Pastor Mort and Mother Verna Lynn, started Calvary Chapel Outreach Fellowship in 1983. They changed the name to Reach Out Fellowship in 1996.

There’s no glitz or razzle dazzle here. Worship is conducted to honor and love God. The sanctuary is a place consecrated for adoration of our Father and schooling in His word. It is not a place to demonstrate the latest and greatest ideas to entertain and appeal to the masses. Pastor Jerry understands that there is nothing more provocative and compelling than the life of Christ and the Word of truth He proclaims. Salvation and victorious living are not a result of Jesus Christ plus frills and gimmicks. The Word of God (Jesus) doesn’t need to be glamourized and dressed up to be appealing. Pastor Jerry has remained steadfast to this mandate, being the only church locally that teaches verse by verse. Over the decades, he has more than demonstrated his faithfulness to expanding the Kingdom of God the way Jesus intended … by grace through faith made manifest with love.

After our time of worship, a time of testimony was afforded the flock. There was no shortage of volunteers, ready to exalt the goodness and benevolence of God in their lives. I was touched by the testimonies and the kind patience extended to the flock by Pastor as he prepared to deliver a powerful sermon on how God always has a plan to return us from our captivity.  As he stood before the congregation and began to speak, it became evident why this seasoned orator of the Word of God has never succumbed to the ways of the world that have infiltrated the modern church. He is a man who knows and understands the power of God’s Word. He understands that it is God alone who adds souls to His Church.

Pastor Jerry taught verse by verse from the book of Jeremiah. He spoke of “Jacob’s trouble” and the great captivity of the Jewish nation in Babylon ordered by King Nebuchadnezzar. He explained through deliberate and systematic Biblical exegesis that God will continue to bless us even when we are in captivity. He always has a plan for our lives even when we think He has forgotten us. He will always tell us what we need to know when we need to know it. Even when all hell breaks loose in our lives, God has a plan to deliver us. Jeremiah 29:11; “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”

This wonderful scripture from Jeremiah continues to explain how desirous God is to bless you and return to you all that was stolen, even those things you were denied. Why?  Because He loves you. The scriptures are replete with promises and instructions on how to lay hold of the promises.

If you are looking for a church that digs deep into the Word, come visit Reach Out Fellowship. Get your New King James Bible out and come by for a spiritual steak dinner.

Church Website – http://www.reachoutfellowship.org

By Donna Hansen Munafo & Michael Frati