For God so Loved Liberty County
And your small town too.
Here are some quick facts about Liberty County:
Population: Approximately 7,700 residents.
Number of Churches: While specific data on the number of churches in Liberty County isn't readily available, small counties like ours often have numerous places of worship serving the community.
People Associated with Churches: Over 3,000 people in our area have no association with any church or denomination.
Drug Arrest Rate: Liberty County has the highest drug arrest rate in the state of Florida, with around 1% of the population being arrested every year.
Divorce Rate: 50% of marriages in Liberty County end in divorce.
Age Demographics: 57% of the population consists of Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha.
Liberty County is approximately 6,700 miles from Jerusalem. Traveling by boat would take roughly three to four weeks, depending on the vessel and route. It took nearly 1,800 years for the message of Jesus Christ to reach regions like ours. Yet, when Jesus died on the cross, He died for the families who live here. He died for those struggling with addiction in the middle of the woods. He died for the families who have called this place home for generations. He died for you, no matter what your last name is.
I have lived here for almost five years now and consider this place home. God has planted us here. Our address is not an accident.
If you, like me, live in one of the many small counties and towns throughout our great country, know this: The gospel is not just for big cities or distant villages around the world. It is for the darkness in your hometown as well.
Jesus’ Ministry in Small Towns
Jesus spent the majority of His time ministering in small towns throughout Galilee. Consider the size of the places He visited:
Nazareth – A small village, likely 200-500 people.
Capernaum – A fishing town, estimated at 1,000-1,500 people.
Bethsaida – Likely 600-1,000 people.
Chorazin – A small town, around 500-1,000 people.
Cana – Possibly 400-500 people.
Nain – A tiny village, around 200-400 people.
Magdala – A larger town, possibly 2,000-5,000 people.
Gennesaret – Likely around 1,000-2,000 people.
The God of the universe spent most of His earthly ministry in small towns and villages. He walked along rivers and lakes. He spent time in places like Bristol. He visited towns like Hosford. He walked in places like Sumatra. God sent His Son to save small-town folks like you and me.
Before ascending to heaven, Jesus told His disciples to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. When He walked this earth, He knew you would be born centuries later, thousands of miles away. Yet, His mission was always for you.
If Jesus spent His time in small towns, then we, as His followers, have a mission here too. The gospel is for Liberty County, for our neighbors, and for you.
Our theme for our Love Liberty County Outreach this year is simple. John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Our theme is For God so loved Liberty County.
Over the month of March, I will be writing and sharing some devotions on how John 3:16 relates to God’s love for various parts of our community and communities around the world.