FAITH IN ACTION

Now when they came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and much people of the city was with her.  And when the Lord saw her he had compassion on her and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, arise. And he that was dead sat up and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on all, and they glorified God saying that a great prophet is risen among us, and that hath visited his people.” Luke 11:12-16

Scripture records many instances where the Prophets, our Lord Jesus, and the early church ministered to single parent families.  Should our response to them be judgment and condemnation, because either sin or circumstance has brought them to a place of brokenness, grief, and poverty?  Or should we offer the healing and saving mercy of Jesus Christ, whose compassion for a single mother caused Him to raise her son from the dead?  The church is too often indifferent or hostile to the needs of single parents, who thus feel out of place and unwelcome.

We have noticed how frequently FIA ministry serves single moms.  This past weekend Mark and I were blessed to visit Lakeisha, her daughter, and baby Gabriel, whose response to the bed we brought him to sleep in was, “for me?  For me?”  During Mark’s prayer for this family, Lakeisha was moved to tears and shared with us how it’s hard sometimes for a single woman to be responsible for a home, children, and finances.  It was not lost on us that Lakeisha’s son Gabriel is named after the archangel who is described in the Gospel of Luke as being God’s messenger announcing the birth of John the Baptist, and our Lord Jesus Christ.  Gabriel means “the strength of God.”

We were so blessed to help Lakeisha know that she is not alone, that “the strength of God” is with her, always.

Faith In Action seeks to grow the local church in accordance with Christ-confessing and Biblical principles.  Most church members are committed to congregational growth but frequently do not understand how missions work serves that purpose.  Instead, many focus on marketing techniques, multimedia worship presentations, and youth-focused programs which invite new members through the “front door” of the church  However, Pastor Rick Warren points out in “The Purpose Driven Church” that loving unbelievers the way Jesus did is the most overlooked key to church growth.

Last week Ephesus Baptist Church FIA leader Missy Holmes discovered how outreach to people in need can be the “side door” entry point for your church:

We got a call from a couple that was in need of food… they had been to Celebrate Recovery at the church a couple of times and later spent some time in jail.  Upon release, they called us for immediate need of food.  I arranged for an FIA team member to bring the couple a small grocery giftcard and food from our church pantry.

Last Sunday…a couple came up to join the church and I usually help them with the member card they fill out…..IT WAS THEM!!!!!!   I was so excited not only that they came down and joined but that I was the one “signing them up!”…When I saw them fill out the card and realized it was them -I immediately introduced myself (again) as the lady that called her that day.

I talked to Ann (Celebrate Recovery Leader) about it -I told her how amazing it was that our Celebrate Recovery Program and FIA had reached out and possibly made an impact on their decision to join the church!!!

Because many churches are part of FIA, we have a unique knowledge of the various worship styles, traditions, and ministries of numerous Douglas County churches.  When we serve a family in need and spiritual discernment opens an opportunity to make a church invitation, the FIA member can then promise to meet the family at the side door—or the front door, and welcome them to your church.