Some of my favorite times are riding in the car with my wife – just the two of us. Last
night, I was reminded once again of why that has been the case for me for the past 43 years
or so.
As we were riding home from Tuesday night Bible Study, I made mention of a local church
that was doing something with their facility that made me cringe when I heard about it on
the radio – something I’m glad we’re not doing! We both laughed a bit about it, and
Tammy said, “You know – we have seen God do some amazing things in Integrity Church
over the past 28 years” Not being the sentimental type, she actually got a bit sentimental
when she said, “It’s hard to believe that we started out in that hotel 28 years ago, then
moved over here to BMOC and started out in just those two bays.” (Using about 15% of
the space we use today). “Now look at what is going on in our church. We have so many
things going on to reach people…”
She then said, “Think of it – God sent Dave (Cummings) and now we have opened a Bakery
at Integrity! Could we ever have imagined that we someday would have a BAKERY! We
have a bakery, we have a café, we have an elementary school campus, a playschool. We
have another church in our complex. It’s like God brings it to us, and He makes it
happen!” I thought ‘Oh my goodness! You’re so right! This is a topic that I need to write
about for our newsletter!’
We continued our conversation for a few minutes, and I became more and more
appreciative as we talked. I realize that we say often that two of our biggest values in
Integrity Church are Experimentation and Innovation. And when Tammy and I looked
back at all these things that have come to pass in the past 28 years, we realize that a big
part of God making these things happen had to do with this willingness of the people of
Integrity Church to be open to His movement – and to be flexible! Flexibility is a hallmark
component of Experimentation and Innovation! Thank you Integrity family!
So how did this latest Integrity ‘innovation’ – a Bakery of all things – come about? Well, it
happened in much the same way that these other new things occurred. Our good friend
and Integrity family member, Dave Cummings moved into our area and into Integrity
Church around the time of the pandemic, and developing a BIG heart and passion for the
Missions work of Integrity Church, he realized God’s call on his life to apply his
professional experience and expertise differently then he ever had – in a way that would
directly impact the Kingdom of God. In case you didn’t know, Dave was an executive
leader with a national food company. He had responsibility for the company’s Bakery
operations. His work won some national recognition for the company and for himself. But
before all that, he actually built and ran bakeries!
A couple of years ago, Dave was impacted particularly by a message series in which we
looked at what it means to be a Kingdom Investor. We focused in this series on the Parable
of the Talents in Matthew 25. The Owner of the business, who would represent Jesus
Himself, would go away on a long journey, i.e. after His crucifixion, Resurrection and
Ascension. He would assign his business assets to three different managers, based on their
demonstrated abilities to manage those assets. One was given five portions, i.e. bags of
silver. Another was given two portions, and the other manager was given one. These
managers represent those of us who have decided to follow Jesus, as Jesus has entrusted to
us responsibilities to use what He has given us to grow His Kingdom. The managers given
the five and two portions each doubled the investment, and when the Owner returned, He
commended and rewarded them. But the manager given the One portion kept it hidden, so
it wouldn’t get lost or stolen, and he produced no return on the Owner’s investment. This
manager was rebuked and stripped of the portion he had been given.
I remember during that series Dave speaking passionately about his desire to be like the
managers who doubled the investment of the Owner. A little short of a year ago, Dave
approached me and the Integrity elders about using that which he had been given – his
experience and expertise in the baking industry, to start a bakery, which, in time, would
help to fund the missions work of Integrity Church. He would also be willing to utilize the
accumulation of assets he had earned during his career, as a loan to help front the
development of the bakery.
Well, last week capped a journey that went longer than we expected, as the bakery received
the final approvals from the governmental agencies. This week you will likely find Dave
working hard in our new fully equipped commercial kitchen, developing and testing
recipes for a wide variety of baked goods. Dave is, in the words of my dad, ‘happier than
a pig in slop!’ (maybe not a good analogy when we’re talking about food prep – I get
it…).
Integrity Church likely never would have come up with an idea to start a bakery. But then
along came Dave, who decided to be obedient to what he sensed as God’s call on his life!
As a result, Integrity has yet another ‘tool’ to help build God’s Kingdom. Dave will
continue to develop those priceless recipes, will be developing business relationships with
area food providers, will be preparing special orders for individuals, and will be
coordinating the sale of our bakery products through the already established Mission
House Café.
So there will be lots going on in our new Mission House Café and Bakery. Be on the
lookout for ads and order forms on the bakery offerings. More to come!
Once again – God made it work!
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