First Assembly of God

 

OUR PASTOR

  

Pastor Joe & Joy Contreras

"When you stop learning you stop growing.

Get into the Word and let the Word get in you".

Rev. Joe E. Contreras, is bilingual in English and Spanish.  In addition to pastoring, he is a Bilingual/ESL teacher in the Elizabeth School District, and is an instructor at the Latin American Theological Institute in Wayne and Elizabeth. He holds the M.A. and Ed.S. degrees in Bilingual Education and Educational Supervision, and has completed all coursework for the Ed.D degree in Education Administration.  He currently serves as Assistant Presbyter of the East Central North Section of the New Jersey District of the Assemblies of God, and is part of the leadership committee of the Hispanic Fellowship.

Pastor Contreras and his wife, Marilyn Joy, were married in 1972. They served for 12 years as Assemblies of God missionaries to Latin America and Spain. They have one daughter and two granddaughters.

Theme: I Believe in Communion

What Does It Mean?

Read Exodus 12:21–27

As Roger took the juice and bread from the plate, his daughter leaned over. “Dad, why do you and Mom do this?” Roger smiled. He knew she would ask that question some day.

And when your children ask you, “What does this ceremony mean to you?” then tell them, “It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.” Then the people bowed down and worshiped. (Exodus 12:26,27).

God expects every Christian to have an answer for questions about the faith (1 Peter 3:15). These answers are especially important when passing on the faith to the next generation. If it isn’t passed on, it will die out. And if their questions aren’t answered well, they may leave the faith later.

When the next generation asks about Communion, tell them it reminds you of what Jesus did at the Cross, how His body was broken and His blood poured out. Give them the meaning and give them faith.

Prayer Suggestion: God, help me give good answers when others ask me about You.

Devotional brought to you by God's Word For Today.
God's Word For Today is available from Gospel Publishing House.

 

Articles & Resources for Church Workers

  • Starting a Greeter Program
    Four years ago I accepted the challenge of evangelism chairperson for our church. One of the first programs the pastor and I developed was the Sunday morning greeter program.
  • Motivating the Right Person into the Right Ministry
    One of the greatest challenges for most leaders is selecting and motivating the right people into the right ministry positions in hopes of minimizing turnover and frustration. Even in the smaller church with limited personnel, it is important to coordinate people and ministry as much as possible.
  • “I TRIED, BUT NO ONE EVER CALLED ME”
    “I tried, but no one ever called me” are painful words for a leader who has much work to do and not enough people willing to do it. These words are painful for the person who wanted to contribute, but was never called. These are also painful words for a person who is committed to helping people connect and contribute in meaningful ways within the church.