As we bring this chapter of Global Perspectives, to an end, I have struggled for the past week with where to begin this post. I've struggled because I want to remain open to God every day for what He wants me to do next. Service to God is not optional. It is not ever over or finished. In heaven, I expect to have as much purpose as he has given us here. Or more!
As Steve and others have said so well, GP has been so much more than this website. It started with an evening class at The Family Church (FBC) of Marco Island and the vision of our Senior Pastor, Timothy Neptune, and a passionate commodities trader, Steve Meyers. I was not even a resident of this quaint town or a member of this congregation when it began. I was a friend of people who were committed to things of God, called to a purpose greater than anything they inately possessed, and convinced that because God called, we have to answer. As Pastor Tim's vision for GP began, multiple endeavors erupted. Steve and Pastor Tim prepared the excellent series of classes, Pastor Tim worked with Michelle Hurtley on an email newsletter, Pastor Aaron Lundquist and I began the outline and substance of a book on Preparedness Planning, Pastor Roger Felipe and Pastor Ben Sprankle worked on a bible study and tract to educate and encourage believers and non-believers to be informed, equipped, and prepared. The email newsletter evolved into this website as the most expedient and accessible focal point for the message God had placed on our hearts. At its peak, we reached over three thousand viewers each day. As Ron Rebner and Nancy Vandermeer joined the web team as contributors and editors, it stood as proof that, if you stay true to what God asks of you, he will multiply it for His glory. And that is truly our intent. The team at GP has grown and shrunk throught the last 3 years, but the heart of conviction and focus on God's glory has not.
What was different about GP? When we first met as a team in early 2009 and started the various threads of activity, we constantly asked each other that question. There were and still are many good resources out there - Christian and not - that are intended to help people be prepared. Some focus on financial and economic areas, others focused on geopolitical tensions, while still others focused purely on the what and how of physical preparedness. Every one of those resources said the same thing, "you need to have a plan." I asked the team early on, "do you know how to build a plan?" That single thought drove much of my involvement and passion for this mission. Have we informed people in how to plan for their own well being? Have we equipped them to make decisions for the next few months as well as years into the future? Have we prepared them to see crises come and go, and stay intent on God's path through it all? I can only pray that answer is yes.
I do not yet know what God has in store for GP. At this time, I've resolved to leave the existing content available online as I talk with Pastor Tim about the future. I will lock the comment engine this evening and post a final note explaining to passers-by that the content is historical and remains for their encouragement and edification. I may prune some areas and try to consolidate a few things to where viewers can access it easier. Rest assured, none of the content or comments will ever be truly deleted. There is too much value in what God has said through Steve, Tim, Nancy, Ron, our contributing sites, and hopefully my occasional contribution to see it be discarded into the 'bit bucket'.
I do not yet know what the future holds, but I know that I personally will hold onto what we have done and the friends I have made. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to Nancy and Ron for being such dedicated contributors to the site day in and day out. I want to express my profound gratitude and admiration for Steve for who you are and your steadfast spirit. And I want to express my appreciate and admiration for Pastor Tim, PT, for his vision, encouragement, and for letting this endeavor run in whichever direction God needed it to in order to accomplish His Good Work.
Blessings to all who have come here to receive insite and to give of themselves.
In humble service to Christ,
Chuck Ludwigsen
