Just For The Asking...

I am still in awe of what God is accomplishing through the ministry of my friends, whose church I told you won their rezoning appeal for their new location. I continued to reflect on it for the past few days, as I recalled the statements of those impacted and shared out that church is engaging community.

The "coolest" impact, were the three team members of the area's NFL team, that showed up to the city council meeting, to share their stories of the difference the church is making. But other stories came with just as much of a "wow" factor.

One such story, was that of a county jail worker. My pastor friends took our tour of the facility and at the end, without solicitation, asked what the could do to help. A short time later, they had purchased equipment for the jail that allows the inmates to watch the church services online! Inmates are expressing their realization that they are thankful to be in the jail, because it has now brought them in touch with the church... and God is doing a work in them. Furthermore, parishioners started corresponding with the inmates to offer encouragement, support and prayer!

The other story was how the church is helping the community in the fight against human trafficking. Because of the churches efforts, they are working in ways that are actually putting the area community on the forefront of bring leadership-level solutions to this destructive industry.

I say all of this to demonstrate that a true heart for people and the community should prompt and move the church to actively seek ways to make a tangible and relevant impact in their area. It may not be this big, but it could be...just by asking.

On this #communitySaturday, pray that churches would be challenged to expand their ideas of what is going on the community and the needs they can serve. May they actively engage community leaders and decision-makers who have the pulse of the community and approach problems with the heart of Christ as they work to offer solutions. Pray for timely and relevant solutions, that offer genuine support and provide visible progress towards improving situations and the lives involved,
Pray healing and restoration, love and forgiveness go forth, forever changing the status quo that says "it's always been a problem, and always will be a problem."

Almighty, Sovereign God has for us life...abundant and eternal; and solutions for the times people find themselves in places God never intended for them to go. May the church find and fulfill its purpose in helping people get back on track; both with God and with life.

To God be the glory... for lives eternally changed, by the power of God, the cross of Jesus Christ and the hands of the church.

-PNC

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