A Church Worth Thanking God For

When Paul wrote to Philemon, he opened his letter with a powerful reminder of what he valued most in the people of God. He said, “I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints” (Philemon 1:4–5, LSB).

Those words capture the heart of what every church should strive for. At Ignite, I see so much of this same spirit alive in you. Paul thanked God because he saw two things in the church: a deep love for people and a genuine faith in Jesus. Those were not empty words or surface-level compliments. They were visible, tangible, lived-out realities that could be seen in how the believers treated one another and in how they held fast to Christ.

When I look at our church family, I see those same signs of spiritual life. I see men showing up for one another when they are struggling. I see women praying, encouraging, and lifting each other up. I see families stepping into discipleship together. I see people serving behind the scenes, with no spotlight, no applause, simply because they love Jesus and His people. These are the marks of a healthy, growing, Gospel-centered church.

Paul’s gratitude was not rooted in perfection. The early church was not perfect. Our church is not perfect. But what Paul celebrated was the evidence of God’s grace, the fruit of genuine faith, and the kind of love that proves Jesus is alive and working in His people. That same evidence is present here at Ignite. Sometimes we do not slow down long enough to notice it. Sometimes we forget what God is doing because we are focused on what is not happening or what is still broken.

Yet Scripture teaches us to celebrate the grace we can see. To thank God for the growth that is already happening. To acknowledge the faithfulness of His people. Paul did not hesitate to say, “I thank God because I hear of your love.” I believe it is good for us to do the same.

Ignite Church, I thank God for you. I thank God for the faith He is growing in you and the love you are showing to one another. I thank God for the hunger I see on Sundays, for the discipleship happening in your homes, for the way you welcome new families with warmth and joy. I thank God for the unity He is building and the mission He has placed before us.

Let this passage encourage us to keep going. Let it remind us who we are called to be. Let it challenge us to deepen our love for each other and strengthen our faith in Jesus. And let it stir us to pray that our church will be known, not for programs or buildings, but for love and faith, the very things Paul celebrated.

My prayer is that when others speak of Ignite Church, they will say the same thing Paul said about Philemon and the church in his home. I pray they will say, “I hear of your love and of your faith.” That kind of testimony honors Christ and changes communities.

Church, do not stop loving well. Do not stop believing boldly. And do not stop being the kind of church that makes pastors thank God every single day.

I love you, Ignite family. Let’s keep growing in faith and love together.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Jody