Pastor's Page

We just went through one of the strangest and most difficult years in recent memory. It has been interesting asking people much older than me about their thoughts on 2020. All of them said the same thing: “They had never seen a year like it.” The year started off very normal in America. We heard about a virus in China but were not sure if it would make it to us. Then March came and we experienced something unprecedented in our lifetimes as the virus hit and states all across America were shutting down. At this point we did not know how serious it was. This led us to shut down for two months - something that has never happened in the 140-year history of Eureka Baptist. Once we met again the third Sunday of May it was such a delight. The Bible tells us not to neglect to meet together (Hebrews 10:24-25), and this past year we have a better understanding about how important Christian fellowship is. May we never take for granted the importance of meeting. 

Now while the virus was a global issue experienced everywhere, America had more turbulence than any place on earth. In this past year more evil was advanced than at any other time in our nation’s history. Frankly, I do not think many Christians understand what is coming and the fact that the evil will be directed toward us soon, and in some places this has already happened. Many churches, mostly in California, have already been fined numerous times for meeting on Sunday’s, while people were allowed to protest in large crowds in the same city. These protests often turned into riots where cities were burned down all over America. These riots all happened of course because a black man was unjustly killed by a police officer in Minneapolis. No one condones what happened to George Floyd and the officer will be sentenced, as he should, but we also saw an evil agenda at work that has aims at dividing rather than uniting our country. Instead of powerful people condemning these riots they let it happen and some even encouraged it. The ones who carried these crimes out were not held accountable. What we experienced in America was lawlessness unlike anything we have ever seen.

What Christians need to realize is there is an effort to overthrow the American system that started in 1620 when the pilgrims arrived at Plymouth Rock. From that point all the way to the present, Christianity has had a greater influence on this country than anything else. Now America has never been perfect, but this nation has been a beacon of light to the world. But now our country is moving away from that, and honestly this is the biggest story of 2020. Evil powers have been at work to make America into something it never was, and they have used the issues and tension of 2020 to gain lots of power. Since the beginning this country has been a friendly place for Christians because it has upheld religious freedom. If things keep moving the direction they are, worshiping the Lord in a peaceful and quiet environment (1 Timothy 2:1-2) will be a thing of the past. The godless agenda at work in America has animosity toward the exclusive claims of Christianity. Anyone who does not conform to their agenda is not tolerated, and no true Christian will conform. I write this article to warn people to the reality that is before us. America was different in 2019 than it is in 2020. Call me a pessimist, but I do not anticipate that the America of old will come back. Truthfully, part of this should grieve us as the country we love is fading fast. However, every Christian should be encouraged. Every Christian that suffers for the name of Christ is blessed (1 Peter 4:12-14).  The apocalyptic feel of this year also shows us that The End is near. The Bible describes times of turbulence preceding the return of Christ. We are experiencing those significant birth pains right now (Matthew 24:8) and times will be hard but the greatest blessing is that much closer. As Jesus said, “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28). During this season may we pray more than ever the words, “Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20). May we long for the day when the king takes his throne and his people live under his blessing forevermore (Revelation 21:1-4). 

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Seth