FROM THE PASTOR

Instead of filling this space with useless facts trying to impress, I’m going to tell you my flaws. My ugly stuff. I’m going to be real and honest with no religious hypocrisy, one of our 5 Core Values at DECIDEDchurch. Here’s all you need to know about the mess of a man, Jim Reese. I grew up legalistic and judgmental and I still have some of those tendencies. I was once on the path to be openly homosexual, but God miraculously rescued me. I am a perfectionist and hard to please. I find it hard to read my Bible every day and even harder to pray. In fact, I hate to pray in public. I’m naturally shy and introverted. I get very nervous every time before I preach. I find it difficult to love certain people. I have a huge pride problem and tend to be self-centered. I love my wife, Elisa, but I’m not the best role model of a husband. I’m not very good at giving advice or counseling. I’m not a natural leader. I have a temper. I’m sometimes pretty emotional and moody. The bottom line is: I wasn’t supposed to be a pastor. I had something else planned.

But I will share a scripture with you. The verses that God used to call me to Himself. It’s 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses…For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

It’s the grace of God that saved me, changed me, and chose me to lead a body of people whom I love with all my heart, DECIDEDchurch. And it’s the power of Christ on display in my life. I’m going to change the world with it.

For His Fame,

Jim Reese