Dr. Wungreiso Valui
June 2019

SCFBC is experiencing growth in the 2018-2019 ministry year. God is moving and He is moving us in a new direction. How can we sustain the momentum of transformation and solidify the foundation of this growth? With much prayer and preparation, let us continue to do ministry and plan for long-term efficacy. Let us not sacrifice the future for short-term conveniences. Where do we start? Let us start with loving our neighbors.

WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?
The series “Who is my neighbor?” in Mark 12:29-31 is about what kind of persons are we. The question “Who is my neighbor?” deals directly with the question “Who am I?” The Great Commandment is more about us than our neighbors. We are to love our neighbors just because they are human beings, created in the image of God. Establishing a caring relationship with your neighbor is establishing a caring relationship with your own identity. Finding your neighbor is finding yourself. The decisive issue facing us is the issue of love. Am I loving? Loving God will lead us to love your neighbors as yourselves.

WHY THIS SERIES?
The city of Santa Clara is undergoing rapid changes because of the growing demographic and economic diversification. According to a recent study by WalletHub, we live in one of the most diverse cities in both America and the world. We live in a city more diverse than San Francisco. This is a great opportunity for the church.

To stay relevant and viable, our church needs to move with God in this rapidly changing world. We can begin to accomplish The Great Commission and The Great Commandments when we understand the community we live in.

To love our neighbors is not merely an idea. Our neighbors are not ideas: Each is a unique person. To love our neighbors is to get to know them and share our lives with them. To love our neighbors requires that we share our time, our talent and our treasures.

THE "WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?" SERIES
We will study the lives of Abraham, Joshua, Elisha, Daniel, Jonah, and Jesus, discovering both how they treated their neighbors and the lessons we can learn from their love for others. Their love for their neighbors brought salvation to individuals, families, and nations. This series will be a timely and powerful reminder of what God can do through you and me. I am looking forward to an inspirational and transformational summer. May God do great and mighty things through you.