Come over to New York and help us!

The state of New York has been on the news, both in Christian circles and in the general media. The recent headlines about the new abortion law passed by the newly-elected government caught the attention of many, but there is more to come. The government’s agenda includes abortion expansion, anti-discrimination of transgenderism, a ban on LGBTQ conversion therapy for minors, voter reform, recreational marijuana, and assisted suicide. Conditions continue to lead to a desire for people to leave, whether it is the poor in New York City or the rural parts of upstate looking for new opportunities or it is the middle-class seeking relief from excessive regulation and taxation. Even Christians may seek a different kind of environment. Today, I would like to share my heart as I look out on these things.

I have been a lifelong resident of “The Empire State.” I grew up in what might some call the Finger Lakes region, though closer to Rochester. I lived much of my early life in the country, though still close enough to the city that there were lots of opportunities. I know firsthand the natural beauty that those not from NY may not know, but there are much more remote areas of the state than where I am from. Now I call Western NY (Buffalo) home, living in the Southtown suburbs. Perhaps unlike many upstate NYers, I have also had an interest and love for the largest city in the US, namely, New York City, along with its own unique world. While I am first a citizen of heaven (Phil. 3:20a), I love the Empire State. It would take a lot for me to move, all in the LORD.

Growing up as a Christian in NY, I take many things concerning the religious climate in the state for granted. Whether it is the large Roman Catholic population in many cities, the many theologically liberal forms of various Protestant denominations, or the ever-present cults of the Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses, which were both, birthed in the state, these things are just the climate in which I grew up. By God’s grace, it is indeed possible in such an environment for someone to hang on and keep the faith.

All this leads up to my real burden. There is a world in need of Christ. Many good Christian churches exist in New York State and have done so for a long time. Yet, there is no doubt that as the state becomes more and more hostile, the state is still a needy mission field. The state is the fourth most populous in the nation. Would to God that He would lead many choice servants of His to come, join with faithful churches, and seek to impact this state with the gospel — in all areas! Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, the Southern Tier, the North Country, the Catskills, the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and New York City itself — all these different regions present differing mission fields. The people of New York need to see a set apart people living for Christ today, people who are proclaiming the full council of God — and I would add from a dispensational, fundamental, separatist, and Baptist perspective! I plan to continue to serve in a local church in this state. I also plan to support, where possible, those serving Him in other parts of the state. I supported a missionary couple working in NYC for several years, and I thank the Lord for faithful churches in New York City.

Concerning the political situation, we cannot expect a fallen world to be sympathetic to us always. It is appropriate for us, given our democratic republic form of government, to use our voice to influence politicians. God’s judgment does not necessarily fall on any one nation during this dispensation, and society may sadly suffer consequences of various bad decisions of politicians, individuals, or both. However, at the end of the day, the church’s mission in New York is to be faithful in building up other Christians (discipleship) and to evangelize the lost in all sectors of society.

If you are a Christian outside of New York, please consider locating to New York to serve the Lord. Join with an established church, or even start a fundamental Baptist church in an area that truly has none (not stealing from a preexisting church!). Consider moving to the “concrete jungle” of New York City or the lesser jungles in the cities of upstate (including Buffalo), where every neighborhood needs the gospel and the truths of the Bible. I love New York, and want to see God do something here. I hope you will too.

If you live in New York and are a Christian, please take the events of the recent weeks to heart as a warning. Take your faith seriously. Serve God as if you are on the mission field, because you are there even if you have lived there all your life. May God use every one of us to share the truth.

Jacob Reinhardt is an IT engineer and a M.Div. student at Maranatha Baptist Seminary. He blogs at Biblical Worldview Musings and he is a member of the First Baptist Church of West Seneca, New York, a suburb of Buffalo.