Outreach
= Actions that Build Relationships
Jesus' example to us was not simply to 'preach the gospel' but to 'live the gospel.' The fact is that all that Jesus did during His physical ministry on Earth was people-oriented. He loved (and loves) people - you, me and everyone else. If we are to be truly Christ-like, then we must learn to live and lead by His example. So, just as He reached Out to those in need, our 'Vineyard Harvest' outreach is a ministry to those in need (physically and spiritually).
In
Matthew 25:34-40 Jesus tells us that when we help others we are serving
Him. Conversely, we are told that people who shun those in
need don't love the Lord. What a powerful picture!
Building Relationships
The surest way to build a solid relationship with someone is to
prove that you care about them. In the past several months we've directly
served over 1500 people (outside our congregation) in different ways. Some
of our outreaches have been feeding, clothing and praying for the homeless;
passing out food and toys to people who would have otherwise gone without at
Christmas time;
giving away burgers, hotdogs and ice pops to those swimming and sweating at the
lake; and our most successful and recurring outreach has been at an apartment
complex in the area. Amid serving lunch, painting faces of youngsters,
giving away clothes and balloons, we've also had the privilege of praying for a
wide variety of needs including jobs, health, family issues, and, most
importantly, salvation.
Time for Action!!
Christianity, at its core, is about a
personal relationship with God and our spiritual brothers and sisters (our
family). It is through this relationship that we grow, develop, and
prosper spiritually. These relationships
are
so important that we are commanded to tell the world the Good News (Gospel)
about God and what He has done for us (made a way for us to be adopted as His
sons and daughters).
Matthew 28:19-20
Is God asking you to help? If so, the next time we have an outreach, please join us. It really is a lot of fun.
What's Coming Up?
The calendar is not yet set, but planned activities for the next 6 months include:
 |
Praying with Veterans at the V.A. |
|
Delivering stuffed animals and spending time with physically handicapped youngsters |
|
Free blood pressure checks and prayer at Senior center |
|
4th of July parade - handing out bottled water to the onlookers |
|
Cookout at apartment complex |
|
Free oil change for single parents |
|
And more... |
Did you know... In no state does a full-time minimum wage job cover the costs of a one-bedroom unit at Fair Market Rent, and in 45 states and the District of Columbia, families would need to earn at least double the minimum wage in order to afford a two-bedroom unit at Fair Market Rent. -- Out of Reach: Can America Pay the Rent?, via the National Coalition for the Homeless.