In my period of unplanned sabbatical, I have had the joy of being able to catch up on reading. One of those books, is written by my professor, Dr. Geoff Chang. Big surprise it is on Charles Spurgon, it is called the Army of God. I highly recommend it, it is timely for us. Spurgeon believed one of the greatest dangers facing the church was not persecution from the outside, but confusion on the inside—confusion about what the church is, who it belongs to, and what it is for.

That is why he so often described the local church as “the army of God.” Not a loose association of spiritual consumers, but a people ordered by Christ, united by truth, and mobilized for mission.

This frames where we are right now.

Over the past several weeks, many of you completed our founding survey for Red Letter Church. First—thank you. The care, prayerfulness, and honesty of your responses were evident.

And the results were both encouraging and clarifying.

While every response was unique, several clear themes emerged:

An overwhelming majority expressed that faithful preaching and biblical teaching were among the most important reasons you are considering being part of this church.

Many noted a longing for:

This echoes Spurgeon’s insistence that the church’s strength flows from the Word, not from trends.

One of the most striking survey results was how many of you expressed concern about churches where membership feels meaningless.

You voiced a desire for:

Spurgeon argued that without regenerate, engaged membership, the church loses its witness.

Your responses confirm this instinct.

Many of you indicated a willingness to serve and be involved, but also shared uncertainty about:

That combination—availability paired with questions—is not a weakness. It is a sign of maturity.

Spurgeon believed confusion thrives where expectations are unclear, and that clarity actually frees people to serve joyfully.

Perhaps most encouraging of all: many of you expressed that you are not in a rush.

Instead, you want:

That posture aligns closely with Spurgeon’s conviction that faithfulness precedes fruitfulness.

The survey has done exactly what it was meant to do:
It has surfaced hopes, clarified concerns, and shown us that God is gathering people who care deeply about what kind of church is being formed.

That means the next step cannot simply be strategic.
It must be biblical.

Before a church is launched publicly, it must be formed spiritually.

That is why we are inviting you to a Foundations Red Letter Bible Study—a space to open Scripture together and ask:

This is not a pitch meeting.
It is not a pressure point.

It is a moment of shared discernment.

So I am going to have a Zoom Meeting this Saturday (we can discuss future meetings, maybe on Wednesdays or hosting two different meetings)

Date: December 27th
Time: 7 PM Eastern

You may join us online via:
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/84506155781?pwd=kwfuassgMfTmkFfbU6q1actv668miy.1
Passcode: 2026

If you completed the survey, this gathering is especially for you.
If you didn’t—but you are prayerfully discerning whether God may be calling you into this work—you are welcome as well.

The early church did not change the world because it was impressive.
It changed the world because it was clear, united, and obedient.

If you are interested in becoming an online disciple of Red Letter, please join.
I know some support this ministry that are located in Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, and other places.

I believe God is doing something Bigger than we realize.

As Spurgeon reminded his congregation near the end of his ministry:

Let us listen for our Captain’s voice—together.

For His Glory
Pastor Dillon Evans