I want to publicly thank some awesome volunteers who have served in Beyond the Walls oil change outreach this year. There are many more to thank than these and I will continue honoring others as well in the weeks to come, but I’ve chosen these individuals to write about today.
The first are high school teenagers: Nathaniel, Cathy, and Joshua. It’s amazing when many teenagers (and adults) like to sleep in on a Saturday morning, that these teenagers defy a norm and volunteer their time to helping our single moms. Nathaniel and Joshua are a tremendous help on the pit crew checking out all the vehicle inspection items before the oil and filter are changed. Our pit crew members will tell you their morning runs much smoother when Nathaniel and Joshua are there to help. Cathy has started assisting with helping the children of single moms inside the Fusion Center. She started coming with her parents almost three years ago; now she is giving her gifts to help as well.
High school can be crazy with all kinds of things to do and homework to complete. I’m sure it’s no different with these three. I know they’re also involved in other ministries and activities at Central such as Royal Rangers, Teen Bible Quiz, and youth group activities. But many months you will also see them on the outreach Saturday, smiling and giving God and the outreach team their best. Hooray for our teens!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Outreach Hope by Jan McKinnon
I walked along alone, dead to the silence within me and oblivious to the havoc around me. Day in and day out existing only to acquire the next soul numbing substance. I was lost with no where to go and no place to call home. Such is the life of a drug addict.
Hopeless and empty, I had "strayed from the path of understanding and had come to rest in the company of the dead (Proverbs 21:16)."
On a park bench my weary soul cried out, "there has to be a better way." Someone reached out and gave me a hand. Outreach did not see my impossible situation, Outreach saw a life with possibilities.
Because someone reached out to me, I am no longer alone, but I have a friend that is closer than a brother. The silence within me was replaced with a song of praise in my heart. The soul numbing substance was replaced with the life giving Word. I have a home, a family, and a blessed assurance that Jesus is MINE!
Jan McKinnon
Hopeless and empty, I had "strayed from the path of understanding and had come to rest in the company of the dead (Proverbs 21:16)."
On a park bench my weary soul cried out, "there has to be a better way." Someone reached out and gave me a hand. Outreach did not see my impossible situation, Outreach saw a life with possibilities.
Because someone reached out to me, I am no longer alone, but I have a friend that is closer than a brother. The silence within me was replaced with a song of praise in my heart. The soul numbing substance was replaced with the life giving Word. I have a home, a family, and a blessed assurance that Jesus is MINE!
Jan McKinnon
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Amazing Volunteers!
I’m encouraged time-and-time again by our volunteers who make Central Assembly’s outreach possible. For instance, Ron, who we affectionately call “shorty” is a hard-working man who has experienced rough waters in his life, but he continues month-after-month to give of his time and effort, serving on the oil change pit-crew. You see shorty has been a brittle-diabetic for 28 years. He is disabled, insulin dependent, and must monitor his condition on a constant basis. Yet, he comes to the outreach and works hard. He commented to me, “God has given me so much, it’s time for me to give back to Him.” Amazing!
First-time volunteers Bill and Debbie arrived at the oil change and asked if there was anything they could help with. I love that! They were able to step in and call the auto parts store to make sure our pit crew received the right oil and filter. They too, are facing challenges in life. But, in spite of these challenges, they gave their time to invest in single moms who needed their vehicle serviced. At the end of the morning, we had prayer with them, asking for God’s divine healing in their life. Debbie thanked me for allowing her to be involved, saying, “I felt worthwhile, like I was working again.” I should be the one thanking her, which I did; but I was so impressed with her thankful, giving heart.
With their permission, I have shared their stories. Volunteers positively impact my life! I love Mark Mittelberg’s treatment of a simple but powerful thought in his book, Becoming a Contagious Church, when he talks about “the power of a combined effort”. This thought covers what I am not able to do; I am so thankful to be part of a team effort!
First-time volunteers Bill and Debbie arrived at the oil change and asked if there was anything they could help with. I love that! They were able to step in and call the auto parts store to make sure our pit crew received the right oil and filter. They too, are facing challenges in life. But, in spite of these challenges, they gave their time to invest in single moms who needed their vehicle serviced. At the end of the morning, we had prayer with them, asking for God’s divine healing in their life. Debbie thanked me for allowing her to be involved, saying, “I felt worthwhile, like I was working again.” I should be the one thanking her, which I did; but I was so impressed with her thankful, giving heart.
With their permission, I have shared their stories. Volunteers positively impact my life! I love Mark Mittelberg’s treatment of a simple but powerful thought in his book, Becoming a Contagious Church, when he talks about “the power of a combined effort”. This thought covers what I am not able to do; I am so thankful to be part of a team effort!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Our Purpose
I was skeptical this week when I realized with Evangel University's Spring Break, Mission Trips, National Guard, etc that several would not be available. In fact, 16 people told me they could not be at the oil change. I counted 14 who could be there. Praise the Lord the 14 volunteers pulled it off! Thank you!
We served 11 ladies. I was struck with the thought "These ladies trust what's going on at Central - because so many of them come back." Yes, we would often like to engage more with them, but today many single moms sat in the cafe area doing homework, reading, and just enjoying the Atmosphere you've been able to create. From a warm reception when they first walked in our doors to receiving their final car inspection - you've helped create a very safe place. I've studied Starbucks business plan to some degree. Their intention has always been to create a "third place" for their customers to congregate; Home - Work - Starbucks.
At the very least your ministry has created another place; a trusting atmosphere where single moms can relax for a few minutes with coffee and something good to eat, talk with friendly people, and sit to read a good book. Wow, I say that's fantastic ministry!
Some return to their home church for Sunday morning worship; some have starting coming to Central and are plugged in to small groups and worship with us. Some are still pondering what we’re all about. That’s ok. God loves them and wants us to reach out to them. He also loves us and wants to grow His love for people (from all walks of life) in our lives.
We served 11 ladies. I was struck with the thought "These ladies trust what's going on at Central - because so many of them come back." Yes, we would often like to engage more with them, but today many single moms sat in the cafe area doing homework, reading, and just enjoying the Atmosphere you've been able to create. From a warm reception when they first walked in our doors to receiving their final car inspection - you've helped create a very safe place. I've studied Starbucks business plan to some degree. Their intention has always been to create a "third place" for their customers to congregate; Home - Work - Starbucks.
At the very least your ministry has created another place; a trusting atmosphere where single moms can relax for a few minutes with coffee and something good to eat, talk with friendly people, and sit to read a good book. Wow, I say that's fantastic ministry!
Some return to their home church for Sunday morning worship; some have starting coming to Central and are plugged in to small groups and worship with us. Some are still pondering what we’re all about. That’s ok. God loves them and wants us to reach out to them. He also loves us and wants to grow His love for people (from all walks of life) in our lives.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Church Family
I am a privileged man, i.e. "not subject to the usual rules or penalties because of some special circumstance". What's the special circumstance? I'm talking about being a family member of an extravagant, caring church. Yes, I'm talking about Central Assembly. I love being in a family. Families accept, love, embrace, care, listen, dialogue, teach, sympathize, and congratulate. I've been the lucky recipient of all the above at Central Assembly.
But my main reason for making this claim does not hinge on what I've received, although I consider myself extremely blessed; it's what the family does for others who have not made up the life at Central in the past. That's how I'm privileged. Actually, it's incredible. Every week there are tens, if not hundreds of people living outside the physical walls of their church building who are given food, encouraged in their battle against life-controlling hang-ups, personally mentored, helped with chores around their neighborhood home, given a free oil-change as a single mom, prayed with, and hugged!
In Steve Sjogren's book, Conspiracy of Kindness, (1993, 2003) he writes that "God is looking for people who are willing to participate in acts of love and kindness to those outside of their present circle. He is looking for people who believe that a humble demonstration of love plants seeds of eternity in the hearts of others that will blossom into faith in Christ. The strategy of this conspiracy operates on the premise that God is passionately in love with unbelievers. As dynamic seeds of kindness are planted in their hearts, the Holy Spirit will pursue them. We are the sowers of those seeds of love. God is the farmer who oversees the entire process."
So is this a "special circumstance" as initially claimed? Fortunately, in the life of American churches, it's becoming the norm. I want to be part of this great wake-up Christian movement.
But my main reason for making this claim does not hinge on what I've received, although I consider myself extremely blessed; it's what the family does for others who have not made up the life at Central in the past. That's how I'm privileged. Actually, it's incredible. Every week there are tens, if not hundreds of people living outside the physical walls of their church building who are given food, encouraged in their battle against life-controlling hang-ups, personally mentored, helped with chores around their neighborhood home, given a free oil-change as a single mom, prayed with, and hugged!
In Steve Sjogren's book, Conspiracy of Kindness, (1993, 2003) he writes that "God is looking for people who are willing to participate in acts of love and kindness to those outside of their present circle. He is looking for people who believe that a humble demonstration of love plants seeds of eternity in the hearts of others that will blossom into faith in Christ. The strategy of this conspiracy operates on the premise that God is passionately in love with unbelievers. As dynamic seeds of kindness are planted in their hearts, the Holy Spirit will pursue them. We are the sowers of those seeds of love. God is the farmer who oversees the entire process."
So is this a "special circumstance" as initially claimed? Fortunately, in the life of American churches, it's becoming the norm. I want to be part of this great wake-up Christian movement.
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