April 2007
Outreach Corner
Know Your Community
Knowing the character and nature of your community makes evangelism much easier. In his latest book, Just Walk Across the Room, Bill Hybel writes, “The only thing you need in order to sustain an effective approach to evangelism year after year after year is an ear fine-tuned to the promptings of the Holy Spirit”.
Everyday many of us spend hours in our vehicles driving to and from work and accomplishing the many chores on our task’s list. Too often we are focused on our own lives without consciously thinking about some obvious needs of those closest to us. If we just open our eyes to the needs within our influence. Things like: a single-parent mother struggling to repair a blown down fence; an elderly man trying to fill a trash bag with leaves; a perplexed neighbor who is arguing with his rebellious teen son; or a lawn that needs mowing because the widow residing there has been sick for weeks are among the concerns we can address.
There are plenty ministry opportunities right in our backyards. If we are looking for ways to connect with neighbors and impact a community we need to take the time to know what’s going on in our immediate area.
God is all about relationships. He desires to have relationship with us every waking moment we have. As we strive to become more Christ-like, we will desire to cultivate relationships with those around us. What better way for the Holy Spirit to work through us than to show “acts of kindness” to others.
A changed heart can help change a community. Our Christian love will inspire and motivate others as believers better understand and participate in their communities. There are plenty of great opportunities to volunteer in things like: PTA programs, food drives, Habitat for Humanity, Run for Life events, and other worthy programs. As the Holy Spirit fills us with His love and kindness we can so love others that they are drawn to the living God.
OCM has helped form S.W.A.T. teams in some churches. S.W.A.T. stands for Servants With A TASK. Groups of uniformed men are formed to become community responders and helping hands to serve people with needs. When there is a home fire, the S.W.A.T. team shows up equipped to help the stricken victims. When a community disaster occurs, the S.W.A.T. unit helps the professional emergency responders with manpower and equipment. When a single-mother needs some firewood chopped, the guys are there. Imagine the impact in a community when guys from a local church show up when needed.
Let’s take the time to look for those rich opportunities awaiting the attention of a person, or group of people, with a servant’s heart. We can pray that God will show us the unseen things we can do to be a great witness.
Read the other articles in this issue:
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