Taking It To The Street

     I have been impressed today at the glimpse of an old acquaintance who once was lost like me.  It was wonderful to be able to peek into how he is serving the Lord and to see that God laid very similar burdens on my heart and his.  Faye, one of our leaders, read with me and smiled as she remembered our conversation of the vision God gave me for this particular ministry.  She was with me as God was unfolding His plan for us.  Memories!  Memories and passion rekindled by watching another's walk.

     One of the saints of old that encourages me the most was Paul, originally Saul of Tarsus.  He had such a bold testimony and he lived out what he spoke.  He encouraged and exhorted saints to believe Jesus and to live through faith.  In 1 Corinthians 4:16 and 11:1 Paul tells others to imitate him as he imitated Christ.  Is your witness that strong?  Could you boldly tell others that you are on the mark?  Oh, precious ones, that we would have that kind of faith!  Didn't Christ command us to go into all the world and spread the Gospel?  He did, indeed!  But, most of us don't go.  We let others go in our place.  I did exactly that for many years but after eighteen years of self service God called me to work for Him. It is one of the hardest but most rewarding jobs.  I am most often the reason the work is hard for my faith is not yet perfect. 

     I have begun to realize that while Paul was and is one of my favorite examples, he is just that, an example.  You see, Paul is dead.  He can no longer evangelize the masses.  He is in Heaven with Christ.  However, I am not.  You are not.  Christ is passing on the job of evangelism to those of us with earthly bodies.  That should be a "no-brainer" but it took me a while to catch on.  Are you there yet?  

     Very soon, within the next two weeks, Mercy Abounds will again set out to reach kids with the Gospel of Christ.  We are targeting six neighborhoods this attempt.  We do not believe in the "love 'em and leave 'em" mentality of some ministries.  In fact, we would rather not set out to tell a neighborhood about Jesus without follow up ministry.  We want to commit to service to these areas.  We have in place the Mailbox Clubs to assist in keeping up with these children, as well as personal contacts that will continue.  As we have in the past, we will also offer Men's and Women's Bible Studies.   

     Please pray now that God will open the hearts and minds of the children and the families.  Pray that there will be a continued interest and that we can build relationships with these families.  Pray that they will allow us to teach the whole of the Gospel and that they would come to know Christ.  It is for His glory and honor that we share the Good News!

     We will be accepting donations of snacks, drinks, cups, etc.  We will be glad for some volunteered time!  Sharlene at Green Acres Baptist and I will be taking a list for volunteers.  I will be glad to go over the CEF materials with you and help you choose a place to serve.  We plan to have two groups at two different neighborhoods each time. We will be going into some rough places, especially the first groups. These kids and families need us the most.  Ministry is not for the faint of heart!   Come on and walk out the Great Commission with us!

To God be the glory!
Jamie