President’s Perspective: Our Easter Heritage

By Kevin Stone

We talk about Easter every year, and I think it is tempting for pastors to feel that there is nothing new to say. But even if there isn’t, repetition can be extremely valuable. When we hear the same stories over and over, they become part of the fabric of our being – a collection of shared truths that shape our understanding of ourselves, our world, and our Creator. 

The account of the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior is a story we should never stop considering. It is the pivotal moment in history, and the key to our freedom from sin and death. We should never tire of considering the weight of this moment in history. And since it is such a familiar story, we must determine not to lose our wonder at its magnificence.  

As I sat pondering the Easter story and how I might encourage you this year, I was drawn to the fact that the story of Easter is kind of in our name. We are the Fellowship of Evangelical Bible Churches. “Evangelical” can mean a few things, but at its core, we believe the Bible is our authority, and that the Gospel story is paramount to our convictions and to our actions. 

The Gospel is the good news that while we were dead in our sins, Jesus was sacrificed on a cross to atone for all our sins (past, present, and future) and that he was raised to new life defeating death for all who believe. You deserve death, but through Christ, you may have abundant, eternal life! Praise God! 

The name of our Fellowship has changed a few times, and “Evangelical” wasn’t always our middle name, but our emphasis on sharing the Gospel has never wavered. The official formation of our denomination happened with the first conference of our churches (what we would now call “Connect”) on October 14, 1889. Three churches were represented at that meeting: The Ebenezer Church of Jansen, NE, the Ebenezer Church of Henderson, NE, and the Bruderthaler Church of Mountain Lake, MN. 

This conference established eighteen articles of incorporation which would set the foundation for the Fellowship that has existed for over 136 years. 

Here is Article 3 from that meeting: 
“Purpose: Not only to encourage each other in the most Holy Faith, but to unitedly help to spread the Gospel in the world of sin, bringing them to Jesus.” 

​That purpose statement is our DNA, infused at our very first official meeting. We exist to encourage one another and to spread the Gospel message to the world. I fear we are way better at encouraging one another than we are at spreading the Gospel. It is safe, comfortable, and natural to encourage our friends at church. It can feel dangerous, uncomfortable, and unnatural to talk to strangers about what Jesus has done for us.  

The current Vision Statement of our Fellowship is “Strengthening our churches with timely resources that strengthen their leaders.” One might say that if this is our vision, we are not focused on the importance of spreading the Gospel that was so emphasized by our forefathers. But I believe our efforts to strengthen churches are intrinsically tied to evangelism. As we strengthen church leaders, and they in turn shepherd their congregations well, individuals will be called to evangelize! 

The Gospel message will always be woven into our DNA. It will always be paramount to our ministry as a Fellowship and to the ministries of our local churches. And so, this season of remembering the death, burial, and resurrection of our Savior will always be a highlight of our local church ministries. 

Do not let this season go by without truly reflecting on the amazing gift of salvation. Do not let this season go by without allowing yourself to be moved once more by the story. And do not let this season go by without allowing yourself to be used by God to share the Gospel with those who need to hear it. 

​“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'” (Romans 10:14-15 – ESV) ​

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kevin Stone has been in full or part-time ministry for over 30 years. Before accepting the position of President, he spent 12 years as the full-time Pastor of Worship at Crosspoint Bible Church in Omaha, NE - one of our FEBC churches.