Based on Thom Rainer’s “Scrappy Church” Chapter

2 Revelation 3:8  
 

A Church That Believes God Still Has a Plan for Them. “I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut.”

We have to believe that God has placed Oak Hill Baptist Church at this address for His plan. God have sovereignly placed you and me here for His glory. Our unique giftedness, our unique abilities, personalities, jobs, desires, passions, all align to God’s plan for Oak Hill Baptist Church. It has been estimated that 100 to 150 churches close their doors every week. They have lost the vision that God has a plan. Death is the only option for a church without God’s plan of equipping the saints for the Great Commission harvest.
 
May this benediction found in Hebrews 13:20-21 be our prayer for our church. God has a plan.
 

“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Our church address is not an accident!  

A Church That Turns to Prayer for Their Power. 
 
“I know that you have but little power”
 
Psalm 69:13 “But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.”
 

Our power must not be in ourselves, but in a desperate dependence on the movement of God. “Prayer is the flame that fuels the fire of God!”  

A Church That Celebrates the Presence of Other Churches.
 
“yet you have kept my word”
 
More than 75% of Pearl River County is not attending any church. It’s not that we have to many churches, it’s that we don’t have enough churches with a Great Commission focus.
 

Matthew 16:18-19 “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”  

A Church That Greatly Increases Their Purpose, an Outward Focus.
 
“and have not denied my name.”
 

Romans 10:14 “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” May we be a church that if we ceased to meet, the community would not only miss us, they would grieve our death. May we make such an impact on this community, for God’s Kingdom and glory! May we thrive not just survive for God’s glory!