I’m sure that you have noticed that it has been a remarkably hot August. Early summer seemed to be mild until we hit August. It was suggested that we may have gone over 20 consecutive days with triple digit heat, with a high of 107 from one of our TV news broadcasts. If true, that’s not just your imagination, it certainly felt hot when you were out in it. It seems that we have been warned of global warming and many other things that may have contributed to the reality of it being somewhat hotter. We could choose to make that the central point of our remembrance for August 2026. It would be accurate, searchable from weather records, validated from many other articles written from various sources substantiating that thought. But that’s not the end of the story… At least not for Greggton!

As Greggton, we were hotter! Not by the outside temperatures, but by the inner temperature of our hearts-on-fire for experiencing new friends and growing our church family to create Disciples for Jesus Christ. We began August following good months of increased visitation, increased membership, and increasing numbers in worship. We can validate through our records of attendance, worship, and membership that we have been increasing steadily at an average rate of just over three new members per month since we began worship at 803 Gilmer Road. We could argue that our outreach events and growth-focused centralization for 2026 is working. We could validate that God has been working through all of us to welcome and experience godly fellowship from our location on Gilmer Road. Those would also be true and accurate statements. 

But then God worked with hot August, and those average monthly numbers that were priorly referenced bounced. As the dust settled, we welcomed seven new members to our church family and worshipped and fellowshipped with another sixty-eight non-members. Our small Greggton college team met with hundreds of new college freshman and their families on three separate campuses during this same hot month! That reality has made August 2026 our hottest month so far. I’m extremely proud of this Greggton Church Family that is defying the odds, beating the outside temperatures and doing what God has called all His churches to do… to be strong witness to His love and to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

I suppose some could argue that the cool air conditioning, comfortable seating, and high heat outside may have created a need for relief from the heat, bringing visitors in. I could argue that God can and will use all things to glorify himself for those that believe. Regardless of how one processes the reasons, it’s now fact that Greggton has just outperformed its prior months at 803 Gilmer Road. For that we give God all the praise, all the glory, and stand in honor and humility with those that went before us while doing the same thing… growing Kingdom for God, making Disciples for Jesus Christ and sharing life in community as we journey. Yep, literally being the “Heart of Greggton”!

I think we should remember August 2026 for that heat more than the outside temperatures. Yes, it was a hot month indeed. I’m praying for hotter.

Blessings and Grace

Pastor CJ