Every year I look forward to February because it allows me to talk to many of you and ask (beg, plead, bribe, and threaten) you to teach in our Children’s Education Program here at North Heights. This year was no different.

On Saturday, January 28th, we gathered together all the teachers from the past year to thank and appreciate you for all the hard work and outstanding results produced in the biblical education of our young people. Our meal was delicious, and the speaker was one of my favorites of all time (I’m biased because he was my childhood preacher and a hero of mine to this day); the service was exceptional as the youth group worked so hard to make it a pleasant experience. Furthermore, the volunteerism was out of this world, godly even, as people zealously signed up to teach for the following year. I thought it couldn’t get any better than this.

Then February 1st came. The sun rose, and it was the first official day of Teacher Recruitment Month. I should get the ball rolling and begin recruiting, as I’ve never recruited before. So as the day progressed, I started crossing off my list of church work things I needed to accomplish that day. Sermon prep was at the top of my list; the bulletin article was next, and then I made a few contacts and phone calls to visit with a few people (At this point, we’ve been cooped up in the house because of inclement weather for a few days, and I was getting a little stir crazy). Finally, around 5 pm, I asked Kira to be my camera lady and go live on Facebook to encourage people to sign up for teaching in 2023-2024. I usually get around 3-5 people to sign up when I do a video, send an email, or make a quick post about it. This time was different.

In a few hours, the sign-up board was COMPLETELY DONE, and teacher recruitment month went on to be teacher recruitment day! I don’t know what to say, but I know what the Bible says.

Titus 2:11-14 – For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

When I read this, I think about you, NHCOC!

I think about how God has appeared; you know and teach it.
I think about how you want to bring salvation to all.
I think about how you teach yourselves and others to deny ungodliness and world desires.
I think about how you live sensibly, righteously, and godly right now.
I think about how you are looking for the blessed hope of Jesus’ appearing.
I think about how you are redeemed, pure, and possessed by God.
And lastly…
I think about how you are zealous for good deeds.

I have never seen nor heard of a church more zealous for good deeds than the North Heights Church of Christ.

Case in point… teacher recruitment day!

God loves you, and so do I,
Alexander Mills