Submitted by Pastor Donna Clark Fuller, Rock Port and Watson United Methodist Churches

“Sanctify them in the truth,” John 17:17

This is the last column I will write for “On the Spiritual Side.” Starting in July, I will be serving Memphis United Methodist Church in Memphis, Missouri, and the Rock Port United Methodist Church will have a new pastor. I hope the community will welcome Bill Hargis when he begins to serve here in July.

As I think about my time here in Rock Port, I think about the first disciples of Jesus who were called from many places, many occupations and were different people in various ways. Yet Jesus saw the possibilities in each of them. They grew in faith as they followed Him and in His last days on earth, Jesus prayed for them, as He knew they would carry on the work of the faith after He left this earth. Part of that prayer was to sanctify them in the truth. The truth of the gospel is a wonderful truth, even if it is hard for many people to believe.

I have been fortunate to know many people who were also different from each other in various ways, but united in a faith that is not afraid to tell that wonderful truth. Other ministers here in Rock Port, many people in my congregations in Rock Port and Watson, people serving in various agencies that help those in need in times of trouble (such as the flooding we endured), have all been people I have walked with on a journey in following Jesus. I have been blessed by God’s inspiration to others, by the power of the Holy Spirit as we have worked together, and by the work I see many people of faith doing to help others in our community.

It is always a journey to follow Jesus, to bring God’s truth to the world, and to love our neighbors as Jesus loved us. I look forward to my journey in a new place and I wish for us all, wherever we are, an answer to the prayer of Jesus – to be sanctified in God’s wonderful truth.