Bill Riedel And The Call To Minister To “Them”
Christian leaders are people who walk with Jesus and invite others to join them in that walk. The most effective Christian leaders refuse to become lazy or apathetic, and they accept the challenge to bring along incredibly different and unquestionably fallen people with them because they know this is what Jesus wants.
Some leaders have been given special gifts and callings (Eph. 4:12) to do this. One of those in our eastern district is Pastor Bill Riedel, who planted Redemption Hill Church 5 years ago in Washington, DC. Ministering to people on both sides of the partisan divides that are so pronounced in our country is a part of Bill’s daily calling. What a challenge! How many of us could survive in that atmosphere!?!
I texted Bill on Election Day this past Tuesday to let him know I was praying for him because what is just another election cycle for America is potentially a loss of elders, small group leaders and a significant number of congregants for Redemption Hill.
Bill knows Redemption Hill is not his church – it’s God’s. He will continue His good work. He will continue to use Bill and the ministry there in DC for His glory. Bill’s calling was the same Wednesday as it was Tuesday – stay as close to Jesus as he can and take as many as he can with him on the discipleship journey.
The same goes for each disciple. No matter how large or small our platform. The calling is to stay close to Jesus and bring as many as we can with us.
Bill’s giftedness from the Lord equips him for the challenging calling he has and this past Wednesday he wrote a helpful article on how to minister to “them” in order to bring healing to what divides us. The “them” he refers to are people who are not “us.” Take a couple of minutes to read his November 9 article at billriedel.com.
May God bless the churches of our district to bring the singular hope of the Gospel to a country that needs it badly!
Eddie is Lead Pastor of Life Point Hampton Roads. He was previously the Executive Vice President of National Ministries for the EFCA and before that the EFCA East District Superintendent. Regardless of role, with a desire to share the Gospel in word and deed, Eddie’s calling is to come alongside pastors and leaders helping them live well, lead well and multiply their ministries with vision and passion.