MIDWEST REGION

“‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’” Matthew 25:20-21 Faithfulness is risky and rewarding. It requires more than just maintenance. Turning a profit points to a job well done. These were the thoughts that challenged our congregation as we reflected on what God has handed Goshen First Brethren Church over the decades. Being a new pastor here, this was an education in history that hit home a few times as I saw family names on plaques and pages, recording the story of GFBC. The conclusion was clear: if our story was the parable of the talents, we were the servant blessed with five (Matt. 25:14ff). But the challenge came when we considered what that servant did with those five talents. He “went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more.” (v. 16) This is in contrast to the servant called “wicked and slothful” who buried his one talent, keeping it in pristine condition just as it was given to him (vv. 24, 26). When we considered this example of faithfulness as risk-taking and profit-making versus hiding and maintaining, the “talent” of our building came into focus as one of the blessed deposits with which we have been entrusted. So what does faithfulness look like? This particular building has stood for almost 100 years, with a few additions here and there. The space is abundant and well-kept, but like many church facilities, the lights were off five days of the week. On top of that, my wife and I are native to this area and already own a home, so the same was true for the 5-bedroom parsonage next door. Through the dedication of trustees and volunteers throughout the years, both have been kept in pristine condition. So, we asked the Lord and pondered together what faithful, risky, profiting would look like at 215 W Clinton St. The answer came a couple of months later from a neighbor with a ministry connection. Downtown Ministries is a Christian non-profit organization that seeks to offer second chances to folks in Elkhart County who face adversity of many kinds. Their efforts include transitional houses for women and children, job skills training, financial classes, and addiction recovery. Each one of these initiatives happens in partnership with local churches through individual Christians coming alongside people to offer the support and hope of Christ. As one can imagine there are many people facing this type of adversity in our area, and DTM needed to expand to meet that need. The conversation began with our empty parsonage becoming a safe haven for a single mom seeking a fresh start. But that vision quickly ballooned into keeping the lights on in our building as beacons of hope throughout the week. Currently, the tenant in The Clinton House (parsonage) is working through the DTM classes, started a new job, is receiving spiritual, medical, and mental healing, and is an active member in a local church. The facilities are buzzing at GFBC with classes offered almost every night of the week, that all include a meal shared between students and Christian mentors. Sixteen teens graduated Jobs for Life last year, as well as thirteen adults with more completing the program during just the first quarter of this year. Faith and Finances classes will meet and offer the first Spanish-speaking class in the fall of 2024. Over 20 volunteers from various churches have been trained as champions and allies for these folks, and the need is only growing. Since the partnership began between GFBC and DTM, three more transitional houses have been acquired and connections are being made with local law enforcement, the local school system, and other ministries to bring hope to Goshen. In essence, our partnership with DTM is akin to an investment brokerage, taking the capital of our building and trading with it in the open market of community impact. DTM has leveraged our facility to create positive growth in people’s lives, the community, and the Kingdom. Last year, multiple students came to faith in Christ through Faith and Finances and were baptized as members of a local church. In the Kingdom economy, the risk of loaning our building is paying dividends in a big way. While there's much work ahead—logistics, connections, and equipping disciples for this task—the lesson we've learned at GFBC is clear: Kingdom growth involves investing what we’ve been given, not merely maintaining it. The ongoing risk in this partnership is met with tangible rewards, reminding us that God works through our blessings, like buildings, to build His Kingdom. Our “talents” are not just for our benefit but are opportunities, rather, obligations for investment. “For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance.” (Matt. 25:29a) Grace and Peace, Austin Kaufman Pastor Goshen First Brethren Church