To my brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters at Fairview Baptist Church,
I love you with all my heart and long to be with you again in face-to-face fellowship.
I pray for you all each day, asking God to strengthen your faith, grow your love for each other, and to make you steadfast and immovable in your calling to put Christ above all. I thank God for you as it’s been reported to me that you’ve shown such love to my family during my imprisonment. I thank God that your love and your courage is going forth as a testimony, to the glory of Christ, and the beauty of his church.
I also thank God for your prayers for me. I am weak, but the Lord has strengthened me, and his grace is sustaining me through each and every day. I know that through your prayers and God’s lavish grace, that this time of suffering will build up his body, bring glory to himself, and sustain us in a place of joy.
When Paul was in prison, he wanted his books and parchments. I do gladly report that I do have a bible and notepad that I can keep in my cell. God’s word has been a refreshing spring to my soul as I’m reminded of God’s goodness and faithfulness. The notepad allows me to record my thoughts and treasures from God’s word that make themselves known through times of suffering.
Over the past 16 months I have sought to shepherd the flock that God has entrusted to me. We’ve had to consider the Lordship of Christ and its implications. We’ve had to consider the role of the church and state. We had to work through issues of conscience and examine texts like Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2. And we had to do this in the face of opposition.
I have now been imprisoned for those very truths that I’ve learned from God’s word. I can no longer shepherd the flock as I once did, at least for a season. However, these truths are not mine, and neither are you. The Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus – he has taught us these truths and he has equipped us all for such a time as this. Christ IS building his church. He watches over you. He keeps you and strengthens you. Christ is your shepherd, and you are his body. Christ will also be a husband to my wife and a father to my children. My family is his family, and he will bountifully provide. In my absence, he will be glorified and will care for his own.
So, as you turn to him now in worship, praise him for his steadfast love and care. Praise him for his great salvation. Praise him that he is always with us and that nothing can separate us from his love. Praise him as creator. Praise him as king. Praise him for he is worthy.
Grace and peace. I love you and miss you.
Tim Stephens