Last Sabbath, Potomac Conference pastor Jonas Baca gave the Gaithersburg Seventh-day Adventist an ultimatum. Break off your invitation to have Pastor Stephen Bohr hold meetings in Gaithersburg, MD or get out of this church building.
The same church building that the congregation maintains, takes care of, cleans and pays for. Talk about nerve! And spiritual abuse. What did the congregation do? Did they yield to this abuse? Did they tremble with fear like Henry IV before the haughty Pope Gregory VII in 1077? They did not.
They quietly walked out of the church building, leaving the imperious pastor standing alone in an empty building. The invitation to Pastor Stephen Bohr stands. This was on their Facebook page today,
“Firm and Forward hosts of faith, without any fear that Jesus sees us. Sovereign boss, Christ our Head.... Open Air Worship!”
Today, the Gaithersburg Seventh-day Adventist congregation met in a local park for worship and a potluck. Here are some pictures:
Comments on their Facebook page:
“Through the mountains and valleys, the church is still going on, just pausing to preach. Nothing and no one can destroy our church.”
“THANK YOU HNOS FOR LIFTING THE TORCH OF TRUTH FOR THIS LAST TIME OF DARKNESS.. GOD BLESS YOUR REMAIN ALWAYS..”
“Wow awesome brothers this May God continue guiding you and that you can solve the problems that exist but in the hands of the Lord is everything and trusting in the promise that he is coming soon Maranatha Iglesia Adventista del Septimo Dia (Gaithersburg)”
“An example for many! This is an inspiration to us!!”
“Always go ahead brothers. You give us an example and spiritual strength to overcome through Christ. We don't live something like this yet, but they are examples that you give us when it's our turn.”
“Blessed Saturday my brothers from Oaxaca capital. This was the beginning of the Christian church with the apostles and the persecutions came and so the work will end.”
“The Lord is with you.”
“They [early believers] have set a great example for us, because everything the pastors and associations say we [try to] do but sometimes they go against the true message for this time.”
“Happy [Sabbath] remember that God is with you at all times. He is our powerful giant. It has taken me hard to understand many ministers in their way of acting against the church. But God will finish the work with many or few” — Daniel Gonzalez
“Amen God first. The church will come out victorious with or without pastor.”
“My prayers with you brothers. God is in control. I wish I was closer to be worshiping with you in that beautiful place every Saturday.
Don't worry about the temple, that's nothing building if it's not the presence of the Lord (Psalms 127:1).
Unless the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it; If the Lord does not keep the city, the watchman watches in vain.”
It was a day of worship, friendship, food, and fellow believers. I don’t even know these people personally but there is a warm spot in my heart for them. Their commitment to truth, fairness and biblical fidelity is inspiring. The upcoming meeting with Pastor Stephen Bohr will be fascinating. I wish I could be there.
May the Lord bless and keep them in His righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).
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“Lord, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O Lord;
Save me, O my God!
For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongs to the Lord. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah” (Psalm 3).