God In Blog: Does Your Church Need a Community Outreach Team?

Welcome to God In Blog...

God in Blog is designed to be a forum where Christian writers, webmasters and bloggers can come and post information, stories and testimonies of how they have seen God work in His amazing ways through their efforts. As we navigate the virtual highways and byways, there are some great opportunities ot reach out and share the love of Christ with a hurting world.

As those who love the Lord, we know that He is at work in and around us no matter where we are or what we are doing. Let's look for where He is working and join Him in His work. The main things He needs us to be are:

1. Moldable
2. Available for His use.

So...I encourage you to post here your testimonies of how He is working through your online community, how He is guiding you to make changes and adapt to meet and minister to this world, and your personal testimonies as well. I also pray that you come back often to obtain ideas, get encouraged and fellowship with others of like faith.

I like to think of the Apostle Paul and how he would have used various technologies and media of this day to reach a lost and dying world. I can only imagine what he would have done to reach the masses for Christ! Wow, how cool that would have been to see and who knows...maybe the Lord is using/calling one of you to make that happen here and now!

Let this be the day...

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Does Your Church Need a Community Outreach Team?

When looking at innovative way to reach out to your community, do not overlook meeting the basic needs of your community. Community outreach is not always limited to reaching out to them with the gospel of Christ. It also means reaching out to them and providing basic needs, necessities, sense of community and showing love and hospitality to those around you.

I recently heard our Middle School pastor relate a story about a homeless man who used to come to our church regularly begging, coming for free meals on Wednesday nights, who was very antagonistic towards God and all Christian or "religious folk."

A month or so ago, a gentleman came to the church receptionist and asked to see our M.S. Pastor. The Pastor recognized the name but was having a hard time putting a face with a name. When he came down to see the man they engaged in polite conversation and the mans countenance completely changed. His eyes started welling up with tears and he inquired "You don't know who I am do you?" Our Pastor stated that he did not know who he was.

Well...he ended up telling the Pastor who he was and what the love shown to him by the church had done for him. He had turned his life over to the Lord and experienced the life changing love of Him. He mentioned that it was the love, patience and generosity of the people from our church. That even when he was antagonistic and ungrateful they continued to love on him and provide for his needs.

Tears were pouring down his face at this time when he further shared that now he had his own apartment, had a job, was getting ready to buy his own home and was a completely changed person. He just wanted to stop by and say thanks to those who spent time with him. Wow! We serve an awesome God and praise the Lord for his working in the lives of His children!

I share the above story with you as a demonstration of the needs of a community above our presenting the Gospel to them. So, when you are considering a Community Outreach Team or effort, consider all the needs and meet them where you can and where they will be most effective.

THE PLAN

• The Concept

Read Full Article at: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/713911/does_your_church_need_a_community_outreach.html