COVID - 19 Update - Due to the Executive Order issued by Governor Abbot, all church meetings will be cancelled until April 30th unless stated otherwise by the church. Online services will be available here on the website and also on the church Facebook page. We will continue to monitor the situation and notify you if things change.

The Holy Spirit is Given - Pastor Johnny Dyck

Pastor Johnny Dyck

Pentecost is a day rich with meaning, both in its Jewish roots and its significance for followers of Jesus. Originally, Pentecost was a Jewish festival known as the Feast of Weeks or the Feast of Harvest, celebrated fifty days after Passover. It was a time to give thanks for the first fruits of the wheat harvest and, over time, became associated with the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. This background is crucial because it sets the stage for the events in Acts 2, where the Holy Spirit is poured out on the disciples. The timing is not random; God chose this moment, when Jews from every nation were gathered in Jerusalem, to fulfill His promise and launch the church.

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to send a helper, the Spirit of truth, who would empower, guide, and comfort His followers. The dramatic signs—wind, fire, and tongues—are not just supernatural displays but deeply symbolic. Wind represents the power of God, fire points to purification and the presence of God, and tongues signify the global proclamation of the gospel. The fire resting on each disciple’s head is especially significant: it marks the presence of God now dwelling in every believer, making each of us a living temple.

This indwelling presence transforms ordinary people. The same disciples who once scattered in fear now boldly proclaim the gospel in many languages, empowered by the Spirit. The miracle of languages at Pentecost is more than a reversal of Babel’s confusion; it is the beginning of a new unity among God’s people, drawing together Jews and Gentiles alike. The Holy Spirit not only gives power for witness but also brings comfort, guidance, and unity.

Yet, there is a challenge for us today. Are we truly embracing the power of the Holy Spirit, or do we live in fear or neglect of His presence? The Spirit is not something to be afraid of or to ignore because of misunderstandings or abuses. Instead, we are called to invite the Holy Spirit into our lives, to empower us to live boldly and confidently for Jesus, and to be witnesses in our world. The question remains: Are we living as Spirit-filled witnesses, or are we simply attending church?