Multi-group service project showcases the power of Community – July/August 2010
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A recent
Saturday morning in June provided a great opportunity to share the love of
Jesus through service to a single mom in our body, and to show how diverse
communities can bond together in outreach. She and her teenage daughter were
moving and needed a lot of help to move from their old house to their new one.
Bring on the Movers & Shakers
(M&S), an outreach of a thriving men’s off-Sunday community at Hope Church.
This group of middle-aged (we wish!) men have helped more than 30 families move
over the past 5 years, but found themselves a bit shorthanded for this move.
Time to reach out to others for help! The first call went out to the THIRST
Community, an active college-aged group, who could provide some much needed
youth and vitality to this project. Next request for help went to the Singles
in Action community, who share a similar life stage with our ‘customer.’ Each
group was happy to join in and help with the service project.
On moving day, each of the
communities joined together in the church parking lot for a quick word of
prayer and instructions then caravanned over to the move site. Over the next
few hours, members of these three widely different communities worked side by
side in service. There were Singles toting boxes everywhere you looked, THIRST
guys (and gals!) heaving furniture, and M&S team members working the moving
truck. It was a beautiful scene, reminiscent of the ‘One Body’ (Rom 12 & 1
Cor 12) made up of many different parts, all working together for the glory of
God. Here were folks from three different age groups and three different
community focuses, yet they were all bonded in the heart for service! This
simple act of kindness was just an opportunity to showcase the heart of
communities – sharing and doing life together!
When the outreach/service resources
are stretched within your community, think about reaching across the aisle and
teaming with another community. In fact, choose a group with a radically
different ‘profile’ from your community…you will be blessed!
Submitted By: Jim Kuhn. Jim leads the Hope Church
Saturday Morning Men’s Community and the Movers & Shakers Ministry.
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instructions then caravanned over to the move site. Over the next
few hours, members of these three widely different communities worked side by
side in service. There were Singles toting boxes everywhere you looked, THIRST
guys (and gals!) heaving furniture, and M&S team members working the moving
truck. It was a beautiful scene, reminiscent of the ‘One Body’ (Rom 12 & 1
Cor 12) made up of many different parts, all working together for the glory of
God. Here were folks from three different age groups and three different
community focuses, yet they were all bonded in the heart for service! This
simple act of kindness was just an opportunity to showcase the heart of
communities – sharing and doing life together!