Growth is an exciting season in the life of any church. At Hillside Church of God, we rejoice in seeing new families come through our doors, ministries expanding, fresh growth, and answered prayers. This momentum needs to be nurtured with diligence, prayer, and continuous action. Momentum is not just about numbers. It is about staying aligned with God’s mission, so it leads to a deeper commitment to Christ.
One example of maintaining a growing momentum in a church can be found in the early church, as described in Acts 2:42-47. After Peter preached at Pentecost, about 3,000 people were added to the church. That was tremendous growth. But instead of being overwhelmed, the apostles and early believers established practices that kept the momentum alive:
- They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching. They didn’t stop learning; they stayed rooted in God’s Word.
- They shared fellowship and broke bread together. Growth did not isolate them—it made them more connected.
- They prayed continually. Prayer kept their focus on God rather than human effort.
- They met needs generously. No one lacked, because love and service held the community together.
It resulted in “glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:46-47). The early church didn’t just grow—they sustained momentum through intentional devotion, unity, and service.
As Hillside Church of God continues to grow, we can follow the same pattern:
- Stay Rooted in God’s Word. Growth can bring busyness, but we must keep teaching, preaching, and living the truth of Scripture. I am committed to preaching Bible-centered teaching, rather than human ideas sprinkled with some Bible verses. It’s not programs that change lives—it’s God’s Word.
- Deepen Relationships. Just as the early believers broke bread and fellowshipped, we must nurture real community. Growth should never mean people get lost in the crowd. Small groups, fellowship meals, and serving together will keep hearts connected.
- Prioritize Prayer. Prayer fueled the early church, and it must fuel Hillside, too. Momentum without prayer will eventually fade, but prayer keeps us dependent on God’s Spirit for direction and power.
- Practice Generosity and Service. A growing church will always have growing needs. Our weekly tithe and offering have not been growing at the pace we need to support our momentum. When members commit to the growth of the church in expanding the Kingdom of God, they give generously. The church stays strong and healthy.
- Celebrate God’s Work. The early church praised God with glad hearts. At Hillside, we must continue to testify of His goodness, share testimonies, and give Him glory for every victory.
Hillside Church of God has been blessed with growth momentum. Momentum is not maintained by chance; it is sustained by faith, prayer, intentional commitment, and devotion to God’s mission and one another. Like the early church, if we remain rooted in teaching, fellowship, prayer, and generosity, the Lord will continue to bless His work among us.
Let’s keep this momentum going at Hillside
Your servant,
David Gunardi