Easter Devotional
“Persevering in the power of The Resurrection”
Pastor Ryan Edgecombe, Broadwell Christian Church and The Christian Village

[March 30, 2015]  This has been a year of MILESTONES in ministry for the two communities that I serve as Pastor and Chaplain. There is much to be thankful for as I look back on what God has done and look forward towards what God will do.

Broadwell Christian Church celebrated their 150th anniversary last fall. We had an open house, a hot dog roast outside, special services on Sunday, as well as a time of re-dedication to the work of God within our community. How humbling to see how God has used and preserved this church for 150 years. We are confident that God has more in store for us as we seek to be good and faithful ambassadors of the truth.

The Christian Village retirement community will be celebrating 50 years of ministry on April 25th. We have been honoring God by providing services to older adults for all of that time, and have seen the ministry of Christian Homes grow from one home in Lincoln to 12 locations in 4 states serving approximately 2000 residents. We are consistently amazed how God provides for this ministry through a thriving partnership with His people in His Churches all over Central Illinois and beyond.
 

How did these manifestations of Christ’s Church get started?

Why did a handful of families in Broadwell in 1864 come together to worship and to build a house where God would be glorified? The answer: Because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ… the message of Easter! How is it that Broadwell Christian Church is still in existence today? She is still holding services… She is still in her community of Broadwell when really nothing else is in Broadwell… She is still reaching out in service to Logan County. How can this be? The answer is the same… because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ… The message of Easter has compelled us and preserved us for 150 years!

What or Who brought a handful of Christian men together with the goal of opening up a nursing home where older men and women could receive good care and feel safe within the context of a Christian community? That dream came to pass in 1965 and is still thriving in 2015 despite constant changes in the healthcare field over the years. Could it be that the same risen Savior that has preserved Broadwell Christian Church, also built and sustained and walked with The Christian village in the last 5 decades? Absolutely!

I am so thankful that the message and hope of Easter compels us to be agents of redemptive change within our communities… not only does this message start us on our journey, but our risen Lord helps us to persevere on our journey as well so that generations of individual and families might hear the Good News! Thanks be to God!