Several weeks ago our family made the trip over to Culloden, WV for the Shenandoah District Family Camp. It was a wonderful week filled with great worship, great teaching and preaching, and great fellowship. Sure, it was a hazy, hot, and humid week, but God’s presence could be felt all over the camp.
One of the highlights of camp was our missionary speakers, Rev. Chris and Lisa Shinn. Chris pastors Faith Community Church in Charleston, WV. He and his family minister on the west side of Charleston. The west side is an interesting place. We (Pam, I and the teens from family camp) had a chance to do a service project with Pastor Chris. This coming Saturday, Clearview Wesleyan (Martinsville, VA) will be taking a crew over to Faith Community to do a Vacation Bible School. As part of that Faith Community is having a back-to-school bash to minister to the children on the west side of Charleston. Our job that day was to hand out flyers in the community. Most people who attend Faith Community walk to church. Their goal is to reach the several blocks in each direction from the church with the love of Jesus. The best way to get the word out in that community is by word of mouth or flyers, so that is what we did.
Pastor Chris gave us some ground rules for handing out the flyers and then we were on our way. The students who were with us had some concerns and Pastor Chris reassured them that what they were doing was perfectly safe. Three hours later, we had handed out over 450 flyers to the community on the west side of Charleston and headed back to camp.
Why do I tell this story? Since District Conference, God has been speaking to me about ministering to our community. There are many in our community who do not know Jesus. There are also many in our community who Jesus called “the least of these.” These are those whom God has been speaking to me about. Sunday I shared that we, as a church, may have an opportunity to do this. There are other things that God has been speaking to me as well.
While we were at Family Camp, Pastor Chris shared that many hold him and Lisa up as someone special. I wouldn’t disagree with that. Chris and Lisa and their two children are wonderful people. But what they are doing, is what God has called each one of us to do. It’s what He has called the church to do.
Let me close with this scripture from Acts 2:42-47. It’s a great picture of the New Testament church:
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity--47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
I pray you have a wonderful week. Blessings….Pastor Dale
One of the highlights of camp was our missionary speakers, Rev. Chris and Lisa Shinn. Chris pastors Faith Community Church in Charleston, WV. He and his family minister on the west side of Charleston. The west side is an interesting place. We (Pam, I and the teens from family camp) had a chance to do a service project with Pastor Chris. This coming Saturday, Clearview Wesleyan (Martinsville, VA) will be taking a crew over to Faith Community to do a Vacation Bible School. As part of that Faith Community is having a back-to-school bash to minister to the children on the west side of Charleston. Our job that day was to hand out flyers in the community. Most people who attend Faith Community walk to church. Their goal is to reach the several blocks in each direction from the church with the love of Jesus. The best way to get the word out in that community is by word of mouth or flyers, so that is what we did.
Pastor Chris gave us some ground rules for handing out the flyers and then we were on our way. The students who were with us had some concerns and Pastor Chris reassured them that what they were doing was perfectly safe. Three hours later, we had handed out over 450 flyers to the community on the west side of Charleston and headed back to camp.
Why do I tell this story? Since District Conference, God has been speaking to me about ministering to our community. There are many in our community who do not know Jesus. There are also many in our community who Jesus called “the least of these.” These are those whom God has been speaking to me about. Sunday I shared that we, as a church, may have an opportunity to do this. There are other things that God has been speaking to me as well.
While we were at Family Camp, Pastor Chris shared that many hold him and Lisa up as someone special. I wouldn’t disagree with that. Chris and Lisa and their two children are wonderful people. But what they are doing, is what God has called each one of us to do. It’s what He has called the church to do.
Let me close with this scripture from Acts 2:42-47. It’s a great picture of the New Testament church:
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity--47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
I pray you have a wonderful week. Blessings….Pastor Dale
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