10/18/2026
Pastor Tom’s message this morning, “The Island of Misfit Toys,” was a reminder that there is a place for everyone in the family of God.
Most of us remember the Island of Misfit Toys from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. It was a place where all the toys that were different or didn't quite fit in ended up.
And the reality is, there are so many people who go through life feeling the same way. People who have experienced rejection, who carry hurt from their past, or who feel like their mistakes and struggles make them unworthy.
But we can be thankful that God doesn't see us that way! He doesn't look at where we've been or what we've done and decide we're not worth His time. He loves us, and He's able to take what seems broken and make something beautiful out of it.
The church should be a place where everyone feels they belong. A place where people can come with their hurts, their struggles, and their imperfections and find hope in Jesus. That doesn't mean we overlook sin, but that we extend the same grace and love that God has shown us.
Pastor Tom also spoke about the importance of “No man left behind.”
We have a responsibility to one another. When someone is struggling, we shouldn't be turning our backs or leaving them to figure things out on their own. We should be reaching out, encouraging them, praying for them, and helping them get back on their feet.
Because the truth is, we all need that kind of love and encouragement at different times in our lives.
1 Corinthians 1:27 reminds us that God chooses the things the world considers weak to accomplish His purposes. Just because someone has been overlooked or counted out by others doesn't mean God is finished with them.
Our prayer is that New Hope Church will always be a place where people feel loved, welcomed, and valued. Where the hurting can find healing, the discouraged can find encouragement, and those who feel like they don't belong can find a place to call home.
At the end of the day, we're all imperfect people in need of God's grace, and every single soul matters to Him.