Awesome Year!

God’s Word has been honored this year through Beyond the Walls, oil change outreach to single mom families at Central Assembly. The Bible plainly says, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction…” James 1:27. I think our outreach ministry reflects the heart of this scriptural context from James. This past Saturday a single mom came for the first time who previously had been a student in a Teen Challenge Center. Her vehicle was serviced by our team of willing volunteers. She ended coming back to Central Assembly for Sunday School and Worship, sitting with one of our lady volunteers in Sunday School and another lady from our team during the worship service. We praise God for His work in her life. But also, we thank our volunteers who served this lady and her family with grace, love, and a genuine concern for her well-being. My heart is overflowing with gratitude for an awesome year serving alongside some amazing volunteers. Each month our volunteers work hard in 3 – 4 hours to change single mom families’ cars and inspect their vehicle tires, lights, and fluids. These volunteers represent housewives, mechanics, salesmen, retired pastors and missionaries, secretaries, accountants, retired ministers who’ve served in leadership positions in our fellowship, carpenters – wow, what a great bunch of people to work with!

Gratitude to All Who Serve

We've experienced a great summer. A couple special situations come to mind. It's great that we're a multi-generational church, but it's even more significant when generations are working together. We see that in our outreach team. Wow, I can't believe the teenagers that have come with their parents to help over the past couple of years. I can count at least 8 different parent-teenager combinations who have come on a Saturday morning and worked together. What an amazing way for a teenager to spend a Saturday morning! I'm also reminded of the Saturdays when our numbers of serving volunteers were thin but they stepped up to the plate and got the job done or Get-R-Done (that's Ozark talk). Like the Saturday when Craig changed 8 vehicles with a teenager's help plus the teen's dad (who had never helped before). You might not appreciate that feat, but believe me Craig deserves our congratulations! And, just as remarkable, the conversations that take place in our Fusion Youth Center as these single moms wait for their oil to be changed. I’m so humbled by their gratitude! Those who serve in the entire Beyond the Wall outreach ministry - THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU! This ministry is not about any one person, including myself; it's about giving of our time in worship to Christ so that others may know the value and love of God.