Twenty five years ago, a team of eighteen people, came to New York City from Boston to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ. A group that once fit snuggly into an elevator was bursting at the seams of New York City’s Jacob Javits Convention Center on Sunday, June 1, 2008.
God’s presence was clear as the New York City Church of Christ celebrated its 25th Anniversary and focused on remembering the Lord. The atmosphere was amazing, the singing full of life and the fellowship abounding in love. Truly the believers were “strengthened and encouraged by the Holy Spirit!” (Acts 9:31)
God’s family came together from around the New York City Metropolitan Area and was joined by others near and far. The Church reaches from the eastern edges of Long Island to the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania in the west. Disciples come from the southern coast of New York City to the northern mountains near Poughkeepsie, New York. In addition, the celebration was joined by the Central Jersey Church of Christ, the Southern Connecticut Church of Christ, the Capital District Church of Christ in Albany, and the family of believers in the Hamptons – all fellowships with strong roots in the New York City Church of Christ. The entire worship was broadcast live on the web allowing churches in Africa and the Caribbean to join in as well.
Despite the size of the gathering, one could hardly finish one hug without turning to give another. Its amazing how God can make such a large gathering feel like one family! Many have relationships throughout the church resulting in every Javits worship seeming like one big reunion. Whether through the work of various ministries or people moving around, God has interwoven the fellowship of believers in New York.
The worship began with a dramatic presentation of the throne room of God depicted in Revelation 5.
“In a loud voice they sang: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!’” Revelation 5:12
As the praises of the Lamb were proclaimed, the “four living creatures” danced before the Lord. The presentation ended with a call to, “Praise the Lord,” and the church stood to its feet to sing to our God. The singing was electric. I could not help but hear the voices of God’s people and be overcome with emotion for what God has done in this great city.
Sam Powell welcomed the gathering and within minutes drew cheers as he reflected on what God has accomplished in New York since Steve Johnson led a small group from the Boston Church of Christ to Manhattan in 1983. The elders prayed before the assembly followed by a song of prayer. Oneychi Oguagha, baptized twenty three years ago in Brooklyn, called on all to remember that Jesus is the reason for our lives as we took communion. He shared of seeing the power of the cross working in many nations and tribes throughout Africa. By God’s grace, the New York City Church of Christ has played a role in advancing Christ by funding and sending missionaries to far away places many have never known.
The international flare of New York City was well represented! All one had to do was look around to see a gathering of all nations. From the bi-lingual communion song to Oneychi greeting the church in multiple languages, the worship reflected the diversity of those in the assembly. At one point the congregation was asked for the good confession Christians make at the waters of baptism. The entire fellowship exclaimed, “Jesus is Lord” and then with a second prompting, instantly proclaimed the same in Spanish with nearly the same volume. The highlight came as four people were added to God’s family at the waters of baptism. The four came from all stages of life and various nationalities as well. One good confession was exclaimed in Korean as well as another in Spanish. God’s people are truly a diverse people!
Following communion, Teresa Brown and Mark Persing delivered a powerful scene from the musical “Upsidedown.” Teresa, as the apostle Peter’s wife, called on her husband at the threat of death to “Remember the Lord” to which Peter replied with great conviction. Although so many have seen this musical created by the New York Church, the intense call to remember once again drew tears from around the auditorium.
Steve Kinnard preached the Word imploring all to remember. He urged everyone to remember Jesus is Lord, remind us that Jesus didn’t call us to lordship like that of the world, but to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). Out of love, we must exclaim to Jesus, “As you wish!” Steve also called everyone to remember that sin still destroys. God’s plan for us is a great plan but sin takes us off course and destroys our lives. Let go of what is evil and cling to what is good!
Finally, Steve Kinnard called on all to remember the world is still lost. "They may be able to clean up Times Square, but they can not clean the hearts of those walking in Times Square." He reminded all that the words of Jesus still apply today, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few” (Matthew 9:37). With just under 3,000 disciples, the New York City Church of Christ has much work to do in a city of almost 19 million. Steve Kinnard recounted his arrival to New York just after the church began 25 years ago. A young southerner and his wife joined those spreading the gospel in New York City because the harvest was plentiful and there was much work to be done. He described how the early disciples of the New York Church traveled far and sacrificed time and comfort to advance God’s cause in this great city. Steve inspired the church to remember the power of the Word of God in their lives and the joy of sharing that power with others. (Follow the links to Listen to the Sermon, Read the Sermon, or Read the closing Poem "Remember".)
A choir composed of disciples from throughout the Church closed our worship with one last call to remember what God has done in our lives.
God has done amazing things for thousands of years in the lives of His people, and the work of His hand over the last 25 years in New York City was evident at our anniversary celebration. What an honor to be in God’s kingdom! Who can imagine what the next 25 years will bring by God’s Spirit? New York City is planning to expand the Javits Convention Center, and it could not come at a better time. With Jesus leading the way, God’s people are going to need a bigger place to meet!
25th Anniversary Pictures
