Brothers and Sisters,
As we near the conclusion of our journey through Paul’s Letter to the Colossians, I want to take a moment to reflect with you. Let’s rewind to September 22, 2024—my view of call Sunday—when you unanimously voted me in as your pastor. That day marked the beginning of a new season, and I immediately began working with Calvary to establish a transition plan. At the same time, I was praying about where to begin in the Word with you.
Not knowing everyone in the room yet, I sought wisdom from seasoned pastors and from some of you about which books had been covered recently. I wanted to start with a book that was rich in the gospel and lifted our eyes to the greatness of Christ. Of course, every book of the Bible points us to the cross, so that didn’t narrow things down much! But as I continued praying and seeking counsel, I was encouraged to focus on a book that would unite us by anchoring us in our identity in Christ.
I also considered the times we are living in. With this being an election year, I wanted us to have a firm grasp on the truth that Christ rules and reigns over all things. That no matter what happens in our country or in the world, Jesus is preeminent—supreme over all.
Through all of these factors, and most importantly through prayer, the Lord led me to Colossians. Fourteen weeks later, we are just one week away from finishing. In these 15 weeks, we’ve walked through only 95 verses—an average of just over six verses per week—but we have barely scratched the surface of its depth. It has been a joy to see how this book has deepened our understanding of what it means to be in Christ and how it has unified us around His supremacy. I pray that when you think of the book of Colossians it is a letter you are now well acquainted with and you feel like God has used it to help you look more like Christ.
So Where Do We Go from Here?
I’ve been praying and seeking wisdom from leadership about this next step. As I’ve gotten to know our church family, it’s clear that we are in a season of renewal—a time of reordering, strengthening our identity as a church, and ensuring that everything we do is shaped by the question: What does the Bible say about this? That is one of the things I love most about Fellowship Baptist Church—we want to be wholly submitted to the Word of God in all things.
Right now, we are constantly asking, What’s next? What is the most important thing to focus on? That reminds me of a very specific time in biblical history—a time of renewal, rebuilding, and reordering. In our English Bibles, these events are divided into two books, but in the Hebrew Bible, they are one: Ezra-Nehemiah.
If you’re unfamiliar with this part of the Bible, don’t worry—that’s exactly where we’re going to start. I can’t wait to walk through this journey of renewal with you. Journey are unsettling things.
God is doing great things at Fellowship Baptist Church, and I am grateful to be on this journey with you.
In Christ,
Travis Smith
Servant of Jesus Christ
Lead Pastor, Fellowship Baptist Church
