Matthew and Lois Cotta
“We are convinced that, not despite but because of the trials of 2020, our mission work is healthier and livelier than it had been in 2019,” writes Pastor Cotta. “While our outreach and evangelistic efforts were reduced to a few online meetup groups, and while we were not able to meet for months and then for months met outside in my backyard, the Lord added seven new members to our fold in 2020! We had more members coming out of 2020 than going in! As well, we have six more regular visitors who are currently in the process of becoming members. To our wonder and praise as well, giving by the mission work was such during 2020 that we very nearly met our budget goals. We also saw God’s sustaining and upbuilding grace in that throughout 2020 several of our men continued to faithfully attend our Officer Training classes (via GoToMeeting). The year 2020 reminded us how glorious and necessary it is to worship our Savior together on the Lord’s Day, and so, once we began meeting again for outdoor, in-person worship, we decided that it was time to turn our Sunday evening Bible study into a Sunday evening service of worship. Opening and closing the day in the worship of God continues to be a source of great delight, comfort, strengthening, and unity for our people. Our faith grew and is growing, as well as our love for the Lord and each other. Indeed, the Lord delights in manifesting His power through our weakness and inability. God heard your prayers for us! Blessed be the name of the Lord!”