Our logo resembles a circle representing God’s love for us…it has no beginning or end. We added a section representing a gate where everyone can enter, no matter who they are.
Now, a little back story:
The Eastern Gate, also known as the Gate Beautiful or the Gate of Mercy, is the only eastern gate of the Temple Mount and one of only two Gates of the Old City of Jerusalem that used to offer access into the city from the East side. In Jewish tradition, the Messiah will enter Jerusalem through this gate from the Mount of Olives. Christians and Muslims believe this was the gate through which Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
While Pastor Don and Jonna were in Israel, they saw a sign that said “Gate Beautiful,” and underneath it were the words “Gate of Mercy.” They started inquiring about the name. They were in the process of changing the church’s name from First Assembly of God Mont Belvieu to something else and had been praying about it.
Acts 3:2-8 KJV
Now, a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly, the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking, jumping, and praising God.
We want to avoid passing by, stepping over, or looking away from others as we pass them by to go to a house of worship. We want MercyGate to be a place where we bring the broken and they feel accepted and loved. All creation is meant to be restored and reconciled to a God who gives up on no one. His name, with its immense power, has the ability to bring every forgotten beggar from the margins to the forefront.
Mercy is used in the Bible to give forgiveness or withhold punishment even when it is deserved.
We pray that MercyGate is a place where people enter into the forgiveness and love of God. We want this to be a place where people can find hope, where lives can be changed, relationships restored, and destinies discovered.
