Lawrence pastors remain optimistic

A new year is about to begin, and anyone who reads the papers can tell you the world is in a bad place.

A dictatorship in North Korea seems to be restarting its nuclear program, threatening its neighbors.

The United States appears to be poised for war against Iraq, which might — or might not — be hiding weapons of mass destruction.

Israelis and Palestinians are locked in a bloody stalemate over land and peace.

Terrorism abounds, extending its deadly grasp to strike at innocent lives across the world.

How can anyone, as 2003 approaches, feel good about the year ahead?

Some spiritual leaders in Lawrence genuinely do.

“I’m optimistic about what God can do in an individual’s life. That would ultimately, one by one, change the world. I’m optimistic about what God’s grace can do in one person’s life, but that’s up to the individual,” said the Rev. Donald Dunn, senior pastor of First Church of the Nazarene, 1470 N. 1000 Road.

The Rev. Marcus McFaul essentially shared the same idea.

“If we just relied on the headlines alone, we would be so depressed. That’s why something else has to anchor us. For me, that anchor is the God of biblical hope and faith,” said McFaul, senior pastor of First Baptist Church, 1330 Kasold Drive.

“Sometimes God uses difficult circumstances to stretch, grow and enlarge our spirits. My hope is in a God who can take the worst of experiences and redemptively use them for my good and the world’s good.”

The Rev. Kevin Williams has hope, too, for spiritual renewal despite bleak times.

“The Lord promised, âÂÂ’Lo, I’m with you always, even unto the end of the age.’ I sense that whatever the future holds, he promised us his presence, his strength, his power, no matter what happens,” said Williams, pastor of Central United Methodist Church, 1501 Mass.

“When I look at 2003, I have great optimism. I believe the church is going to experience some of the greatest spiritual and numerical growth in recent history. As there’s a deterioration in the geopolitical realm, we see more people coming back to church and seeking strength.”