I am so excited about yesterday! Sunday morning our students and parents partnered to reach out to our community. Instead of sitting in a classroom talking about our faith (which is not a bad thing), we were able to get out of our comfort zone and live out our faith.
Across the street from our church building is an apartment complex with 526 units. For some time, God has placed a burden on my heart (and on the hearts of other members of our staff) to reach out to this community with the love of Jesus. There are literally a few thousand people within shouting distance of our building who may never have experienced the love of God. I am sure there are hundreds who are hurting in a variety of ways.
We did not go to set up Bible studies, preach to them about salvation, or take a survey. We simply went to extend a hand of friendship. On Sunday, July 5, we will be having our Jubilee Sunday. On this special Sunday, there will be one combined service at 10:00am, followed by a BBQ and activities for all ages. It will be a great day!
Our purpose in going across the street is simply to invite the members of that community to get to know us better. My prayer is that through knowing us, they will come to know Jesus.
Above anything else, God is a God of relationship and community. In Genesis 1:27, it says, “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
God created us in His image. Just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit live in community with one another, we are created and called to live in community. We are designed to know and be known. We find our value in living out our purpose.
Yesterday, just as God reached out to us through Jesus of Nazareth, we reached out. We reached out to those who may very well need a smile, a hug, or just a place to belong. We want to be His hands and feet to bring light to the darkness, hope to the hopeless, and peace to the restless. There is no greater purpose than that.
shine!
Jason
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