Yesterday, we held our Chartering Service at Christ Alone Fellowship (CAF). In the Bible Fellowship Church (BFC), this marks the official recognition of a congregation as a fully autonomous yet affiliated church within the denomination. This follows a process of doctrinal alignment, pastoral credentialing, mentorship through Church Extension Ministries, and final approval. The service itself includes worship, preaching, formal recognition, and public affirmations of commitment, symbolizing our full integration into the BFC fellowship.

One part of the service included the signing of the Charter, which officially establishes Christ Alone Fellowship as a church with voting members who can now affirm elders, a pastor, and deacons. As the charter was presented, I felt deeply moved and encouraged. Watching each member line up to sign—one by one—filled me with emotion, as I reflected on the many hands that labored to bring us to this moment. It took a great deal of work and sacrifice, but by God’s grace, we have now graduated to become a particular church within the Bible Fellowship Church.

Something else I couldn’t help but think about was how much my feet were hurting—LOL. I didn’t preach that day, so as usual, I stood in the back during the sermon, ready to step in if anything needed attention. Even with the good shoes I bought specifically for days like this, my feet still ended up sore. It made me think of Romans 10:15, where Paul quotes Isaiah 52:7 and Nahum 1:15: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Yes, the feet that carry the gospel are beautiful—but they can also be sore, because the work of the kingdom is a demanding and often tiring journey.

My wife and I were called to this work. It required careful planning, much prayer, strong support, and deep faith to step out. We paid a price—some relationships changed, and there were many discouraging moments—but the love and grace we’ve received made it all possible. Planting a church in the city is no easy task. Our city, in particular, is marked by cultural and class divisions, liberal church influences, and significant economic struggles that often press in on our congregation. At times, we’ve felt overwhelmed by the needs. Yet the love and support we’ve received—not only from our BFC church family but also from Westminster PCA—have made it possible for us not just to be present, but to serve effectively in meeting the needs of our community.

As we move forward with voting in elders, a pastor, and deacons, I’m filled with hope that the Lord will continue to be glorified in this next season. At the same time, I’m bracing for the challenges ahead. This is not a time to settle—there’s still much work to be done. So I’m praying that the Lord would guide us and provide for us as we continue to preach the gospel… even with hurting feet!