“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith… Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering…
And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds.”
Hebrews 10:22-24 (NRSV)
Every fire starts with a spark—but not every spark becomes a flame. And without fuel, intentional breath, and constant tending, even a strong flame will die out.
As members of the Global Methodist Church, we’re not called to simply watch the flame—we are called to fan it. To stir it. To tend to it. Our mission is clear: to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe. But that mission won’t be accomplished by accident. It demands focus, passion, and the spiritual fire of the Holy Spirit in our churches.
In Hebrews 10:19–25, we are reminded of both our foundation and our responsibility. Because of Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice, we have bold access to the throne of God. As the writer says, “Let us draw near… Let us hold fast… Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds.” This is no passive encouragement—this is a call to spiritual action.
And it starts in our hearts and homes, and then in our churches.
John Wesley once wrote, “Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on earth.” That’s the spirit of the Methodist movement. It’s not about numbers—it’s about flame. Wesley knew that holy fire in just a few could ignite awakening in many.
But flames need tending. In the Northeast Conference, we’ve seen sparks of faith—faithful people filled with belief, hungry for mission, and eager for a holy impact. But some of our churches have cooled. Some are smoldering with yesterday’s embers, while others try to manufacture heat without the Spirit’s breath. Others still burn, but only barely, needing fresh wind, new leaders, or bold steps of faith.
It’s time to kneel—like I remember my father doing beside our family campfire, blowing gently until the coals glowed again. It’s time to pray fervently, preach faithfully, and disciple intentionally. Not just to gather a crowd, but to grow a Kingdom. When we return to Spirit-filled worship, deep community in class meetings, and courageous outreach to the lost, the fire will rise.
Paul wrote to Timothy, “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God…” (2 Timothy 1:6). The gift is already there. The spark has been given. Now it’s time to act.
Let’s be churches ablaze. Let’s provoke each other—not with irritation, but with holy insistence—to love, serve, and multiply. Let’s stop saying, “We’re just a small church,” and start saying, “We’re a faithful church on fire.”
Because one church on fire can light a region.
And a region on fire can light the world.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, ignite within us a renewed passion for Your mission. Help us fan the flame—not just in our own hearts, but in our churches and communities. May we burn with love for Jesus, hold fast to our hope, and provoke one another to live out scriptural holiness. Set our churches ablaze for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Blessings,
Steve
