Planted and Growing (For His Purposes)

June 2nd, 2026

In celebration of Genesis Bible Fellowship's 40th Pastoral & Church Anniversary we would like to take the month of June to share Devotionals based upon when and how the Lord led each writer to Genesis! Bible Fellowship Church. Enjoy today's devotional and may it remind you of when you were led to this branch of Zion!

SCRIPTURE: “’Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” Matthew 28:19-20

Sixteen years into my spiritual journey—which began in October 1984-- and three church-memberships later—I and my husband found ourselves completing the new member’s class here at Genesis Bible Fellowship. That was in November 2000. We were drawn by the Spirit-filled expository messages, the likes of which I’d rarely heard outside of 95.1 FM (WRBS)—which, by the way, is how I learned about the teaching / preaching ministry of Pastor Wayne Cockrell.

Prayerfully we followed what we believed was the Holy Spirit’s leading to this ministry, the purpose of which is to disciple souls in conforming to the image of our Savior, as the title verse mentions. By God’s grace, the Gospel is faithfully proclaimed here; discipleship happens here; opportunities to grow up in Christ are presented through the various avenues of ministry available. These are the reasons that explain our remaining here over the past twenty-six years.
As was said of the prophet Jeremiah in chapter one, verse five of that Book, Pastor Cockrell is a man of God, called “from the womb” to minister to the twice born. He and his team of faithful and gifted associate ministers have been steadfast over the past four decades in God’s army of undershepherds, taking seriously the Lord’s command to teach the Word, remain instant in season and out of season, when the waters of ministry are placid as well as tumultuous! Our prayer must be that more “Pastor Cockrells” and their “Joshuas and Calebs” will be raised up by our God to help equip the saints in standing firm in resisting the “wiles” of the enemy who desires to take as many misinformed, deceived, and otherwise spiritually-blind souls with him. [Revelation 20:10] To God be the GLORY!!

PRAYER: Abba, Father, thank You for sustaining this ministry over the past forty years! May we remain committed to growing and walking worthily of Your high calling right where You have planted us! Thank You, in Jesus’ awesome name; amen!
By Sis. Denise Diggs

Would you like to share your testimony? Follow the Devotional format above and email your devotional to paula1028smith@gmail.com.