Dreams of Promise
No one has ever told me, “You are a natural athlete!” While others played Little League and Pop Warner, I was learning a trade. As a boy my baseball experience was playing catch with my brother, and as a young man, church softball teams only allowed me to play because I was the pastor. I shared a baseball with my brother, but I am still not sure of the nuances of the game and have never donned a set of pads or laced up cleats.
That is why a recent dream of mine has been so striking! Perhaps a prescription medicine triggered the most unlikely nighttime theater. In my dream I won a major league home run derby! As ball after ball sailed over outfield walls, I heard, “Back! Back! Back! It’s gone!” Ernie Harwell, the Tiger’s Hall of Fame announcer, offered vivid descriptions of my swing and the soaring spheres I sent bouncing off the outfield scoreboard. And then, I was suddenly awake! It was only a dream!
One ought to be a bit careful with dreams. Both arrogant autocrats, like Pharaoh, and sensible servants, like Joseph, have dreams. Pharaoh’s dreams were instrumental in bringing his downfall. Joseph’s dreams scripted the roles he played in life. The Lord’s plan for the New Testament’s Joseph was revealed in a dream. (Matthew 1:24) The Magi were warned in a dream and escaped Herod’s tyranny.
God-given dreams can, and ought to, shape our lives. The Apostle Peter cited the Old Testament prophet Joel in his Day of Pentecost sermon,
“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17)
We believe in God’s promise for this next generation of young people in Philadelphia.
My few seconds of fame in foolish early morning revery is of no consequence, but my need for God-initiated dreaming remains. I need to escape the world of “What-I-can-do” and explore and experience the “Will-of-Him-whom-calls-me-to-the-impossible.”
Oh, I wish you could see how I crushed those balls! It was fun! And, what I told the reporters interviewing me at the trophy presentation . . .
— Rev. Otto Wegner
More Students, More Ministry!
Preschool students from the Tioga campus
In January 2017, Spring Garden Academy welcomed nearly 60 new preschool students into our school family. God has shown His favor by allowing Spring Garden Academy to be selected as one of the designated early childhood education providers for the City of Philadelphia’s PHLPrek initiative. The PHLPrek Initiative makes preschool free for thousands of families throughout the city.
This expansion has translated into more students and employment of community members. As the socioeconomic impact of this initiative continues to unfold, we also see God‘s divine plan unfolding.
When God placed these new students and their families in our care, He presented us with a unique ministry opportunity. We can invest in more young leaders for the city of Philadelphia and beyond. Please continue to pray for our school family as it grows!