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Topic: Handout (04/14/11)
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TITLE: Ministering to the Homeless, it�s not just a Handout | Previous Challenge Entry
By Tim Pickl
04/16/11 -
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For Immediate Release Contact: Pastor Rodney
Christ is God and King Community Bible Church
Announces Outreach to the Homeless
Springfield, Sunday Morning April 19 – On April 1st, Pastor Rodney met with Springfield’s local Homeless Shelter and local Food Pantry leaders to address the ongoing urgent need for volunteers to help serve meals, especially around holidays. The meeting was entitled Ministering to the Homeless, it’s not just a Handout Summit Meeting. The summit meeting included 24 pastors from local assemblies, including Pastor Rodney.
Cal Krueger, President of Springfield Rescue Mission, said, “Most church-type people have been misled to believe that homeless people are dangerous, or that the homeless do not appreciate the basic needs of life. I assure you that the people we serve are thankful and do not see the food we serve them as ‘handouts’, but rather as blessings from God. The need in our community is so great. The economy has only exacerbated the numbers of souls we serve, as well as their medical condition. My friends, please hear the cry of these lost souls. We are expanding into 3 new locations. Can we step up? Do we hear Jesus calling us? Now is the time, yes, now is the time!” Mr. Krueger wrapped up the summit by urging the pastors to encourage involvement in each of their congregations. He quoted from the Bible, Matthew Chapter 25, verses 31 through 40 (New Living Translation):
“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
Deeply moved with conviction and compassion for the homeless, the pastors and the leadership wept together and prayed for the ministry and that a mighty army of saints would step up to the challenge.
The previously scheduled one minute prayer lasted over one hour.
Following the Summit meeting, Pastor Rodney said, “I was enormously encouraged by the powerful consensus that emerged from this most successful meeting. Jesus is doing a new thing among us: the unity of His body reaching out to the lost is a miraculous thing to be a part of. I always encourage all of the members of our church to get involved in ministry. Therefore, if you attend Christ is God and King Community Bible Church and you are looking for a ministry, this is it. I will announce a sign up process in our church on Sunday April 19. It is way past time that we go from ‘praying about it’ to being Christ’s hands and feet to the lost in our community. What will we do to the least of these, our brothers? We need to just do it.”
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About Christ is God and King Community Bible Church
Christ is God and King Community Bible Church was originally established as a congregation in 1848. Their ministries encourage people of all ages to continually learn and grow in their faith and meaningfully participate in the Christian life. For more about Christ is God and King Community Bible Church, please contact Pastor Rodney.
For additional information on the Ministering to the Homeless, it’s not just a Handout Summit Meeting, please contact Pastor Rodney today.
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