From our Leadership

God is in the midst of doing something great!  Every time society dips to a low level of morality it is the precursor for a great movement of God. Thus, we live in exciting times.  I teach the ancient understandings of what it means to be a Christian.   The Bible says that God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.  The understanding of God and His Word remains the same, yet we do find different ways that His Word applies to our lives. 

My chief goal is the same as it is supposed to be for every Christian - to glorify God in all we do.  I've found that the best way to do this is through the proven method of starting every day reading the Bible, turning from my mistakes of the past day, and praying for guidance in the coming day.   God’s written Word helps me to focus on what He wants, not what I want. After reading I pray for everyone - everyone in my congregation, everyone in my family, everyone in my parish, everyone in God’s universal Church, and everyone who doesn’t know the Lord yet.  The power of prayer is a wonderful gift from God.

We live in a world that is dying around us without Christ.   As God’s children, we are alive and growing in God’s grace.   As followers of Jesus, we are the light and salt of this world.  We have been given the gift of eternal life. And, with this gift, we’ve also been given a message to take out into the world - a message of faith, hope, and love. 

I am evangelical. I believe in the ability of God to change and save anyone, no matter what their circumstances.  As much is it is my honor to be one of God's prayer warriors and pray for people, I find it an even greater privilege to lead people to Christ.  My role as a pastor doesn’t stop at evangelism, though.  I’m committed to discipleship. St. Paul once made the statement, "How can one hear unless they have a preacher?"  In worship God draws us close to Him and molds our hearts to His likeness.   Our worship service is the closest worship I've found to that of what is pictured in the throne worship scenes in the Bible.

For the last seven years of ministry it has been the joy of my life to see God change people's lives like He did mine years ago.  I am a living testimony to the fact that God can change even the most hardened heart.  If you do not know Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of your life, I am praying that you will soon come to know Him. 

None of us can every deserve the salvation God gives us.  Holy Scripture says that we have all sinned and fallen short of God's glory.  The Bible also tells us that God is so holy He cannot even look upon our sin.  However, that's where God's grace comes in.  God sent His Son into this world to pay the price for our sins.  His perfect life and His perfect sacrifice at the cross gave us a substitution to pay the penalty of sin that each of us deserves.  Because God loves us so much He offers this substitution to everyone.  It is a free gift to anyone who will put their trust in Jesus and do their best to follow Him.  Sadly, most people reject the offer.  If you are considering giving your life to Christ, if you are considering what it means to be a Christian in this modern world, or if you are even curious about Christianity, visit my church, or make an appointment to meet with me.  I will make time for you. 

Know that I’m praying for you every day.  Know that I am praying God will touch your life with His amazing grace and everlasting mercy as you seek to know Him and grow in His ways.  I pray that God will lead you into the kind of relationship I have with Him.  That's my hope for you and for every person who comes through the doors of St. Thomas' Church.

The Reverend John Lohmann, IV