Fitly Framed

Ephesians 2:17-21 "And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord."

Almost two weeks ago I left Washington state for New Jersey to join 12 other individuals on a trip to Ulyanosvk, Russia. Our purpose and mission was to continue with the construction of the future church home for the members of the Nazarene church. We had the privilege of attending the very first service in what was just a brick shell.

In Ephesians 2 Paul writes about how people who are different are brought together by God and through Him become fitly framed together.

It is only God who can accomplish this and who will receive the glory. This team of 13 including me, is truly diverse in all ways. Our team consists of the following individuals and or couples:

1. Christian and Denise are self employed working in the field of pharmaceuticals.

2. Ralph is a chef for catholic priests and nuns in New Jersey.

3. Johnnie Britt is the associate pastor under my dad. He is a retired corrections officer and by God's grace a retired drug dealer.

4. Marjorie Britt is a chief financial officer for a non profit organization.

5. Adam is the son of Christian and Denise and is 16 and a junior in high school.

6. Mackenzie is Ralph's daughter and is 14.

7. IjesNae is Johnnie Britt's grandaughter. She is 12.

8. Don Overby is my biological father. He is the pastor of the Nazarene church in South Brunswick, NJ. He is a carpenter by trade.

9. Frank Smith is from Manchester, Connectricut and is a tin smith.

10. Donna is a school administrator/school teacher.

11. Steve, Donna's husband works for Aetna health insurance. He and Donna also came from Manchester, Connecticut.

12. I am a homemaker from Washington state and I attend a Baptist church.


We came together diverse in every way. We differ in our occupations, personalities, physical builds, emotions, skill levels, and spirituality. Some of us have been leaders and some are not. With all of this in mind, it was only the Lord who could bring us together in unity as we worked at the church building site, as I worked with Masha and her family preparing food, as we shared personal space in a Russian cottage.

Without the Lord this group would not have blended. He indeed has been the Chief Administrator over all the affairs of the week ranging from group devotions to even our touring Moscow today. He protected Ralph when we accidentally left him at Red Square and then when it seemed I had lost my passport. We were truly a team of prayer. And so once again I say, to God be the glory.