Hands and Feet with a Purpose

Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus shares the great commission. "...go and make disciples of all nations...teach these disciples all the commands I have given you..." But this is not just a message that was meant to be shard with Jesus' eleven disciples.  It is a message that is meant to last through all time.  Had the disciples not followed this command, we would not be here today, our church would not exist, it's likely Christianity wouldn't even exist.  We are called to know Jesus and then make Jesus known.  We are told to go.   We should go and make disciples because Jesus commands it.  It isn't a suggestion, there is no choosing.  Justin shared that this week our lives have been in time out, and starting tomorrow when we get home, it's time in.  Acts 1:8 speaks of the Holy Spirit giving us power to be His witnesses and share with all the nations.  We are to make disciples because Jesus commanded it.  We are also meant to walk through life with ...

"Powerful", "Emotional", and "Intense" were a few words used to describe tonight's worship service.  It was the Concert of Prayer service which is typically a little more serious and reflective.  We were asked to think about a person we need to share Christ with when we get home.  As the band played music we were asked to write that name on a card and pray for them and pray for strength for ourselves to share with them.  Then we went and lit a candle to represent our prayers.  1 Peter 3:15 speaks of how we must be able to explain the reason for our hope with gentleness and respect.  At all times we have to be ready to explain to others why we have the hope we do.  In discussion we talked about all the terrible things of the world and how as believers we still have hope.  Those who don't believe don't have the hope that we do, they don't get it yet.  We can't let the message end when the church service ends.  We are called to do, not to ...

Wednesday was only a half day of work which means the afternoon/evening was time for us as a church group to have some fun.  We were going to go to the Speedpark and race go-karts, play mini-golf, enjoy a giant slide and an obstacle course.  However, the weather had other ideas.  We had to change our plans a little.  First we went to a park to enjoy some down time.  Some played frisbee, others played on the playground, and others took some time to rest.  We shared in a short devotion about fellowship and what true fellowship looks like.  It's not about eating, playing, gossiping, or anything else that we easily associate with the word "fellowship"; it's about spending quality time with people while serving God.  Each of us received a letter from our homefront warrior (someone in the church who we were partnered with that agreed to pray for us every day and think of us often during our trip).  This was a surprise for the kids and the letters a...

At the beginning of service tonight we took up an offering for disaster relief missions.  Our kids were happy to make donations, no matter how big or small every donation makes a difference.  During the message Justin brought up again how little the word "Christian" was used in the New Testament.  The word Christian had a very negative connotation in the bible.  He noted that Christ didn't die on the cross for us to be called Christians, He died on the cross to give us hope and we are called to share that hope with others.  We can't be so busy being a Christian that we don't take time to share the hope and love.  It's not about doing things right and following the rules, it's about the hope we have received and sharing that hope with others.  It's not about being a Christian, it's about being a follower.  When we share that love and hope it's not about hunting down or finding the right person to share it with, it's about becoming the right...

When playing poker and you think your a hand is better than everyone else's and you are convinced you can win you go "all in". You place all your money in the middle of the table.  Your trusting that what you have is the best.  You are placing all your trust in those cards.  Your trusting that those cards will double your money.  Jesus wants us to be "all in". Tonight we focused on two scriptures; Matthew 4:18-22 and Luke 5:1-11.  Both scriptures are telling the same story, but from different perspectives.  Matthew was a Jew who was writing the stories for other Jews; people well versed and trained in religious ways.  Luke was an investigator who asked questions and recorded the accounts for those of little knowledge and experience.  Luke's story has a few more details than Matthews.   In both accounts Jesus says "follow me" and they do.  Luke points out that Jesus tells Simon Peter to throw his net to the other side of the boat.  T...

We had a nice relaxing morning.  For once on the day the mission trip starts we didn't have to get up and rush to get to the site; it felt amazing!  After breakfast at the hotel they had some time to relax and chill out, some played cards, some watched TV, and some read.  After checking out we had our own church service surrounded by beautiful scenery (as you can see in the picture).  We sang a couple songs and then Jana led us in a service about being a servant and prayer walking.  She did a great job discussing the potential anxiety and fears of doing a prayer walk and shared great tips about how to prayer walk and the impact it can have.  Mark and Abby shared a few personal stories about impacts they've seen as a result of prayer walks.  We loaded up the vans and headed for Charlotte. Around 2:50 we pulled into the church and were greeted by an enthusiastic, screaming, excited group of individuals to welcome us to the church.  We had plenty...

Youth started arriving at the church at 9:50 this morning to head to Charlotte/Shelby NC.  By 10:15 the vans were completely loaded.  We took the picture seen here and pulled out by 10:20!  Every year the process for preparing to leave becomes more and more efficient.  It was smooth sailing all the way to Wytheville, VA where we are staying for the night. During devotions tonight we spent time sharing our worries and concerns for the week.  Those who have been on a mission trip shared some advice for those who haven't been before. The scripture we focused on was "Be strong. Take courage.  Don't be intimidated.  Don't give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you.  He won't let you down; He won't leave you." - Deuteronomy 31:6. No matter where we go, what we're doing, or what our plans are, He is already there.  He has been preparing work for each of us in our lives.  Its our job...