The first church was Jesus led. His leadership of the church began with His physical presence over 40 days following His resurrection and continued after His ascension in mystical communion. Can you imagine what it might have been like to see and hear Jesus in His resurrection body over those 40 days? We know that He taught them many things, no doubt laying the foundations of the church and the movement that was to take the message of the Cross to the world. Jesus’ salvation was not only the Rock on which the church would ever stand, but He Himself was and is the first Pastor of that church. Those who view Pentecost as the birthday of the church may see these things in a different light, but according to the Ancient Orthodox Church, the church's inception is dated to the day of Christ's resurrection rather than Pentecost. This marks the beginning of the Christian fellowship, founded upon the redemptive act of Jesus' sacrifice and His victory over death (John 20:19-23, Luke 24:36-49). Jesus is still leading His church today, but are we following?