He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed,which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.” – Matthew 13:31-33

The kingdom of heaven is like a Sunday School teacher who taught first graders for thirty years.  Most Sundays she taught five or six precious kiddos the truth of God’s love.  Lessons often felt like survival more than success. One Sunday a former student walked in and asked, “Do you remember me?”  She looked at the grown man and sheepishly said, “No.”  He said, “You were the first to preach the gospel to me” and then shared of his life work as a missionary on the other side of the world.  

The kingdom of heaven is like the grandmother who spent every night praying for her granddaughter.  She watched her grow and eventually walk away from church and faith altogether.  Years of experiencing rock bottom led the granddaughter to walk back into church.  The pastor asked, “What brought you here?”  She answered, “My grandmother prayed for me every night.”  

The kingdom of heaven is like a downtown church, not in NYC, Chicago, Los Angeles or Dallas, but a small Northeast Texas dairy community.  A church filled with people who treasure the word of God and share it with friends and family over dinner, share it on mission trips to Nicaragua, Milwaukee, El Paso, North Africa, share it in the Car Care ministry, Feeding programs, and Vacation Bible School.   The faithful followers of Jesus who call this church home will one day die and spend eternity with their Savior, along with countless others who hear and embrace the good news.  

Step into the story. Plant the seed. Knead the dough. Serve the King.