A People of Hope

A note from Dr. Dennis R. Edwards, Dean of the Seminary

“Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantlyremembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ”

(1 Thessalonians 1:1–2 NRSVue).

During my recent trip to Medellín, Colombia, I gave a message from 1 Thessalonians that included those opening verses from the letter. Our topic for the IFFEC (International Federation of Free Evangelical Churches) Conference was “Stories of Hope for a Desperate World” so I focused on the theme of hope that shows up several times in 1 Thessalonians. The topic of hope resonated with attendees, who traveled from as far as the Philippines, Tajikistan, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland, Hungry, France, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and also countries in Latin America, like the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Venezuela, Uruguay, Chili, and of course Colombia (and I am sure I missed some countries!).

As we navigate these complex, polarized, anxious times, we need hope. Election season is frustrating and at times feels ominous, but we are people of hope. Paul, Silas, and Timothy write of the “steadfastness” or “endurance” (NIV)—hypomenē (GNT)— of hope. Peter refers to a “living hope” (1 Peter 1:3). I pray for us to experience such divine hope because there is much that threatens to make us feel hopeless.

I have traveled quite a bit since the start of the Fall 2024 term. When I represent NPTS I become hopeful because this community is special. I am grateful for students, faculty, and staff at our seminary and getting to share about you all invigorates me. Here is a list of places I’ve spoken these last several weeks: 

  • Sept 6-8, Monroe Covenant Church Retreat (Monroe, WA).
  • Sept 12, Covenant Living Center (Northbrook, IL)
  • Sept 14-15, Eastside Covenant Church and Grace Community Covenant Church (Tucson, AZ, with Grace 2 Cov living centers: beauty of life devoted to Jesus into old age)
  • Sept 17, Ignite Cohort (Mission Springs, CA)
  • Sept 22, Redeemer Church (Tulsa, OK)
  • Sept 27–28, Brethren in Christ Great Lakes Conference Pastors Retreat (Rock Island, IL)
  • Oct 5, Redeemer Covenant Church Men’s Group (Carrollton, TX—via Zoom)
  • Oct 6, Adult Sunday School at Glen Ellyn Covenant Church
  • Oct 10–11, Covenant Living Center Bible Conference (Cromwell, CT)
  • Oct 12, Covenant Executive Board (report, not sermon) (Chicago, IL)
  • Oct 19–24, International Federation of Free Evangelical Churches (IFFEC) (Medellín, Colombia)

I have a few more trips in November, including speaking to Mennonite and Church of the Brethren groups (both in PA), then participating in a panel at the Society of Biblical Literature (San Diego, CA). Not only do I solicit your prayers for my opportunities to preach and share about NPTS, but I also ask that you pray that we all remain steadfast in hope.