My experience is limited, but I do not know of anyone who is thriving spiritually but has voluntarily separated themselves from their brothers and sisters in Christ. The weekly assembly is a vital part of our life in Christ.

Last Sunday was the 23rd Family of God assembly. At this (nearly) annual event, all the congregations in the area are invited to meet together instead of their regular places of assembly. This event gives brethren a chance to join in joyful worship with fellow Christians that they may not have seen all year. It also helps to remind us that the Family to which God has made us a member in Christ Jesus is much larger than those we see each week. This is especially important to brothers and sisters in the smaller congregations.

This tradition began many years ago as the church in Recife began to multiply and spread out from its central location downtown to the many suburban congregations there are today. Members missed those they were accustomed to seeing when we all met together.

This year there were 750 in attendance representing 17 congregations. The brethren that came the greatest distance was from the city of Belo Jardim (100 miles away).

Antonio Silva, an elder for the Peixinhos congregation, did a great job organizing the event this year. Rogerio, who serves the Várzea congregation, preached about our growth together as a Family. For only as a Family can we “be filled to all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:14-21). After the assembly, we enjoy a time of fellowship together, strengthening the spiritual bonds that bind us to Jesus.

“…that you with all the saints…may know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge…” (Ephesians 3:14-21)