I know, I know. This was supposed to be a video—sue me.
I’m a 47 take video person and I simply don’t have time to film this one soooooooo…
Here is part three to my IMPACT series of posts and this one is about ‘Marking the Community.’
I define the “community” as not only those who live within a short driving distance of Weddington, but also those who live within a reasonable driving distance of all of our present and future campuses. They are our Jerusalem. That’s the way the Lord said it should be and we read of this sequence in the book of Acts—chapter 1 and verse 8,
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
See where it all begins? It begins in our own backyard. If we aren’t bringing the life changing message to the lost and dying who we rub shoulders with every day—the people whose stories we do know—how will we ever develop a heart for those halfway around the world—the ones whose stories we do not know?
The sad answer is that we won’t. And when we think we will we are only kidding ourselves. It will never happen that way. How could it? The masses around the world who do not know Jesus are staggering—the numbers don’t even seem real!
Billions without Christ?
It’s hard to wrap your mind around that number—period—let alone put a face to each number and attach a story to each face. So the Sally Struthers ‘Feed the Children’ specials and others like them soon lose their impact and most simply keep right on channel surfing when they see one of those deals.
You know it’s true. I wish it wasn’t, but it is. When was the last time you watched and hour of one of those reports?
Can’t remember can you?
Why not?
Because it’s too great a number, too far away a place, and too big a problem. So we talk nobly about ‘someone needing to do something but as far as that someone being us?
Not gonna happen…unless.
Unless we have what Mark Batterson calls a “Sympathy Breakthrough.”
And that happens when we make eye contact with the lost and hurting and feel what they feel. If it isn’t happening at home—again, it ain’t gonna happen abroad.
We desire to make a lasting impact on the community around us—to leave a mark on our families, neighbors, fellow employees, students and friends. To help us do so will you pray about your own heart toward the lost and confused? Will you ask God to give you a heart like His for the lost?
The lost all around you…everywhere…every day?
And prayerfully consider joining us as we seek God’s provision through His people at Southbrook to do 3 specific things to help mark our community with the love of Christ:
Resource existing and future multi-site campuses
Maximize the outreach of Legacy Sports
Cultivate our ability to help families in need though the ministry of ‘Helping Hands.’
That’s it. It’s that simple. Pray that God would stir your heart then…
Get ready to move!