Today marks the 240th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Did I have to do the math to come up with the number? Not really since I graduated from high school the same year our great country turned 200 years old. What a year of celebration that was! By the end of 1976 I knew I would be declaring my own independence from my parents as I was sure that it would only be a matter of time until I would marry my wonderful husband.
Now 40 years later, another Declaration of Independence is in order. This time the circumstances are quite different from our nation’s Declaration. The American Colonies had good reasons to leave the King of England and unite “Under God,” to fight for freedom and become a great nation, tremendously blessed by God.
We, the folks attending Haven Baptist Church over the last many years, have had a wonderful relationship with all of you from Lehigh Valley Baptist Church, one we were in no way wanting to come to an end. Your church has blessed us abundantly above all that we could have ever asked or hoped. It will always be the lighthouse of the Gospel where my husband and I came to know the truth of the Word of God and were saved those 34 years ago.
Thanks due in great part (I believe) to your Missionary Prayer Groups and their many prayers, especially over the last few years, we are about to see a New Testament Church being born. It’s been a long labor but the birth will take place SATURDAY, JULY 9th at 2:00 PM as many of you are aware.. The Haven Baptist Church will be become an independent entity. It is with many mixed emotions that this goal is realized. (We were not sent out here just to operate as missionaries forever, as comfortable as is was).
For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints,( all of us at Haven) and do minister. Hebrews 6:10
We look forward to celebrating this event with you later this week.
Love,
Sue Gable for all of us at Haven Baptist Church, Schuylkill Haven, PA
Sue and her husband, Rod, are church-planters in nearby Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania. They have one daughter who lives with them at home, four married children, and six grandchildren.
You can read Rod & Sue’s story here.
Click to read Susan’s articles.