|
Rooftop Exploit
Happy Camper
As food banks across the country struggle to serve families hit by the recession, 23-year-old youth minister Josh Wright devised a new way to increase their supply—by living on the roof of River Run Christian Church in Melbourne, Florida.
According to an article in east Florida’s Hometown News, Wright volunteered to pitch a tent on the church building for seven days if church members donated 1 ton of canned food and bottled water. He made good on his promise after the church collected 2,273 pounds in less than two months.
“After working out the exact criteria of the challenge, it was determined that Mr. Wright was to return to his tent after his workday was over,” the newspaper reports. “He could use the church’s restroom and other amenities as needed.”
In addition to an air mattress, lamp, heater, and fan, Wright also hooked up a small TV and DVD player via an extension cord.
Free Centers of America, an organization created by River Run Church members, received the huge donation. Free Centers offer food and clothing plus job classes and other resources to needy families.
www.riverruncc.org
Winter Break
In one of his letters, Paul asks Timothy to visit soon because many of Paul’s good friends have left him. “Make every effort to come before winter,” he pleads (2 Timothy 4:21, New American Standard Bible).
The nonprofit organization Come Before Winter, created by women at churches of Christ in Texas, provides support to women serving as missionaries and in other leadership roles who, like Paul, struggle with loneliness and discouragement.
“Though Paul spoke of the physical season, winter can mean more than cold winds and dead leaves,” CBW writes. “The symbol can represent any period regarded as a time of decline, dreariness, or adversity.”
The ministry prevents and addresses these issues through five-day renewal retreats held in cities around the world. Come Before Winter plans two renewals outside the United States each year, and the schedule is booked through 2011.
In addition to opportunities to share struggles, affirm each other, rest, and worship, each retreat offers training and practice in biblical exegesis.
“The schedule goes in circles of study, prayer, worship and reflection, study, and more prayer—just the basics,” says CBW director Karen Alexander.
However, these simple components create powerful results.
“Before we leave the renewal, each woman shares what the Lord has taught her and how that message will specifically impact her life when she returns home,” Alexander says. “We now confidently say, ‘Give the Lord five days and four nights; focus on him and his Word; he will renew your soul.’ It has not failed.”
The retreats have other special moments. “Part of the leadership team attends the retreat to facilitate one-on-one prayer,” says Suzy Jeffrey, prayer director. “We build time for this into each woman’s schedule.”
In addition, just as Paul left his cloak at Troas and asks Timothy to bring it on his “before winter” trip, a leader on each renewal team leaves a cloak behind with one of the participants, who then brings it to the next retreat. Each temporary cloak owner adds the flag of her country on the garment, and it has become a tangible symbol of CBW’s focus on honoring and uniting women in ministry.
“God receives all the glory for planting this idea and allowing us to serve,” Jeffrey says. “We are most blessed.”
www.comebeforewinter.org
Jennifer Taylor, one of CHRISTIAN STANDARD's contributing editors, lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
PREVIOUS COLUMNS:
Surprising and Successful
‘Your Class Ring Could Save a Life’
Helping Victims of Abuse
A New Way to Raise Funds Via Golf
Teaming Up to Spotlight Homelessness
Helping Students Here and Abroad
Adding a Satellite Campus
‘Close Interaction that Doesn’t Fit a Formula’
‘The Best Link Between the Generations’
A Multicultural Model
Inspired by James 2
Putting Feet on Our Faith
Enriching the Neighborhood
Helping in Hard Times
A Network of Care
‘Training Rooted in Our Movement’
Accomplishing the Mission
Coming Together
Multiplying Blessings at Christmas
Training and Resources
Musical Partnerships
Online Services
More Than an Event
"An Explicitly Theological Agenda"
A Partnership with the Community
Hmong Worshipers Move into Own Place
Coffee with a Mission
Impacting the Community
Encouraging Entire Families to Attend
‘Festival Evangelism’ to Muslims
Growing Opportunities
Church Design Lauded
Prayers and Exercise
Fun Ways to Make Connections
Getting Away with God
A Model for Future Ministry
Florida Gator on the Go
It Never Hurts to Ask
"A Natural Connection"
Working Together in Kenya
New Ways to Serve
A Natural Connection
Following David’s Example
Doing Double Duty
Turning the Tables on the Teens
A Partnership of Churches
Introducing Couples to Christ
Illinois Hunters Feed the Hungry
Major Move Leads to Better Opportunities
11-18-07 -- Multiple Improvements Planned
11-4-07 -- Multiplying Missional Impact
10-21-07 -- The Church Van with ‘Free Stuff’
10-7-07 -- Emotional Times for Missionary Moms, Dads
9-9-07 -- A Place for Prayer, a Place for All
8-26-07 -- Cookouts, Bibles, and VBS
8-12-07 -- Changing Lives in a Day Or Less
7-29-07 -- Reaching Out to Arabs
7-15-07 -- A Second Site with Curb Appeal
7-1-07 -- Developing a Desire to Dig Deeper
6-17-07 -- Growing Leaders
6-3-07 -- Vacation Ministry School, Anyone?
5-20-07 -- Uniting to Serve
5-6-07 -- Real Struggles, Real Solutions
4-22-07 -- The Ministry of Giving Back
4-8-07 -- Cultivating an Interest in Missions
3-25-07 -- Morning Worship for Teens
3-11-07 -- From Preschoolers to Teens
2-25-07 -- From Christian School to Art Studios
2-11-07 -- A Ministry to Parents
1-28-07 -- Reversing the Sexual Trend for Teens
1-14-07 -- An Airline Industry Ministry
12-31-06 -- Partnership in Nebraska
12-17-06 -- Taking Jesus to the Community
12-3-06 -- Musical and Spiritual Training
11-19-06 -- Missions and Mentoring
11-5-06 -- Help for At-Risk Kids
10-22-06 -- Cardboard Catacomb
10-8-06 -- Community Building
9-24-06 -- 'Grace-Driven' Ministry
9-10-06 -- Introducing Skateboarders to Jesus
8-27-06 -- Reaching Families . . . With VBS!
8-13-06 -- Communicating Ideas About God
7-30-06 -- A Ministry of Clothing
7-16-06 -- Strengthening Marriages
7-2-06 -- Balloon Ministry Blesses Children
6-18-06 -- Church on the Move
6-4-06 -- Bold Moves Paying Off for Everyone
5-21-06 -- New Ministries for Hurting Families
5-7-06 -- Sharing Jesus' Love Through Daily Donations
4-30-06 -- Georgia on My Mind
4-9-06 -- Bringing the Old Testament to Life
3-26-06 -- Experiencing Exciting Adventures
3-12-06 -- Connecting God to a Wider Culture
2-26-06 -- Churches Using Dogs for Outreach
2-12-06 -- A Bike a Child Can Call His Own
1-29-06 -- Comforting Those Who Are Grieving
1-15-06 -- Preschool for Teens
1-1-06 -- Servant Evangelism for All Ages
12-18-05 -- How Will Your Church Celebrate Christmas This Year?
12-4-05 -- The Hot Place for Teens
11-20-05 -- Linking Adults with Young People
11-6-05 -- Stories of Successful Partnerships
10-23-05 -- Serving Specific Groups
10-9-05 -- An "At-Home" Mission Trip
9-25-05 -- At Work in New Orleans
9-11-05 -- An Evening to Remember
8-28-05 -- Up, Up, and Away
8-14-05 -- Growing Despite Limited Space
7-31-05 -- Christians Come Together Along Rio Grande
7-17-05 -- Reaching Into Downtown Savannah
7-3-05 -- Considering God's Call to Service
6-19-05 -- Community Involvement Being Noticed
6-6-05 -- Spring VBS Gets Great Response
5-22-05 -- 'We Call It Cyber-Evangelism'
5-8-05 -- Production Company Evangelizing Through Film
|
