Because of our intense travel schedule through the years, it has been difficult to help often at our home church, but we certainly count it a special honor when we get to.
We have been members of the same church for 16 years and have been so blessed and refreshed by their love, and their commitment to get the gospel out to the needy and refresh the saints. Their mission statement is Honor God and Help People and that’s exactly what we all endeavor to do at our local church. In fact we just completed an outreach to an inner-city ward we’ve adopted with a campaign called Love The Neighborhood (or Love the Hood for short). J In one day we touched over 2500 kids and their families with the love of Jesus through food, fun – LOTS of fun, music, school supplies, brand new gym shoes and of course sharing the good news – all free! It was an awesome experience! Both last year & this year we were privileged to be part of it.
May I say a quick word about the importance of being a part of a local church, or you might say a local family of believers? Through all of our 31 years of full-time ministry around the world, we have stayed closely connected to a local church. I think it’s one of the reasons we have been effective in our ministry, because we have been connected and pastored. It has made us better ministers – sitting under a pastoral word and worshiping as a member of the congregation and not only from the platform. It has helped us in so many ways to stay in touch with real people and their real ups and downs. We have developed close, life-long friends along with our children, and walked through not only our own, but other friends’ difficult times together.
The Bible says to rejoice with those who rejoice and to weep with those who weep. I’m sure we can all remember rejoicing with someone over a great victory in his or her life, but how about the last time we wept with someone who was going through a very difficult time? We may have prayed or rebuked or spoken the word over them, but did we know them well enough and care enough to hug them and weep with them through their recovery? I know that we can be used in many different ways to help people, but being closely connected to a church family gives us unique ministry opportunities like that, and on many other levels. You can help in practical and spiritual ways and they can help and pray for you as well. It’s one of many ways to put your Christianity to work, and then ultimately take it to your extended family and to a hurting, unsaved world, needing so badly what you have.
We can tell you from our personal experience that we do not know how we would have made it through the nightmare of losing our son, without the help and concern of our pastors and our church family. They have been a lifeline of support in keeping us connected to Jesus. Sometimes hurting people just need “Jesus with skin on.” That’s you!
Of course, there are some who have been badly hurt through life’s experiences and think they just don’t need a church. They feel the pastors are inadequate and the people are hypocrites. Well, guess what? No one is perfect except for Jesus Himself! And someone once said that if you find the perfect church, don’t go to it because then it would no longer be perfect! J The truth is, there is no perfect church because we are all growing in our Christ-like character, but there is a church family out there that needs you, and you need them because that’s the way God set it up.
Here’s how it works: Colossians 3:12-15 (NLT), Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourself with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Being part of a church body helps you live this scripture! Anyone can seem to be holy if they live a secluded life away from people, but where you have to put your Christianity to work is in relationships. This is where everything is tested. That’s why we see some single people so on fire for God, but when they get married and actually have to walk this out, things often change!
God loves us all, and part of His plan to make us useable for Him is being connected within the local church and all that comes with it. Let’s stop being critical of our church family and pastors and start loving and supporting them, walking in love and forgiveness and praying for those who labor so hard among us. This is just scratching the surface of what the Bible says about this subject, but I pray that it helps you and encourages you to stay connected and flourish in God’s kingdom!
In closing, I wanted to mention that our daughter Cherrie just came back from a missions trip to Cambodia, to learn more about how she could help end the injustice of sex slavery and poverty. It was an eye-opening experience. Let us all keep in mind the pain that many live in and ask God to help each one of us do our part. We personally support several ministries that are directly involved in this awesome work, and would encourage you to do the same. One in particular that we would like to mention this month is our good friend Pat Bradley, the founder of International Crisis Aid. Please visit their website www.crisisaid.org and pray for them.
Love you all, and many thanks for your loving support of our ministry!
