Hurricane Irene Church Outreach Puts Service Before Sunday Services
Hurricane Irene church outreach took a practical form as Mountain Christian Church and Area 10 Faith Community encouraged members to serve their neighbors. Instead of gathering for regular Sunday services, church members were urged to help with cleanup and other immediate needs.
- Mountain Christian Church canceled weekend services and launched “Operation Irene” to help neighbors.
- Senior pastor Ben Cachiaras encouraged members to turn the storm into an opportunity for community service.
- Area 10 Faith Community also gathered volunteers to help Richmond-area neighbors with storm cleanup.
In anticipation of this past weekend’s East Coast hurricane, Mountain Christian Church senior pastor Ben Cachiaras asked the congregation to be the church instead of going to church. MCC, located in Joppa, MD, cancelled its weekend services and urged members to participate in “Operation Irene” by helping neighbors with storm cleanup, groceries, child care, and other needs.
Operation Irene Encourages Community Service
“Let’s DELUGE our community with acts of love and service during this event,” Cachiaras wrote. “I want to urge you as strongly as I can to think hard about how you can be a light and a friend and a help to others—and then do it! Storms like this can bring people together, build community, and create ministry opportunities—a chance for us to rain down big-time blessings on others, to help them see the real heart of Jesus’ people. Be thinking how you can build relationships with neighbors through this.”
Area 10 Faith Community Helps Richmond Neighbors
Chris Barras, lead pastor at Area 10 Faith Community (Richmond, VA), also encouraged church members to show “Love Beyond Reason” by helping neighbors. Instead of a worship service on Sunday morning, a team gathered at a local grocery store, armed with rakes, brooms, and gloves, to walk the streets and help neighbors as needed.
“I know we all need to clean up our own houses and yards, but let’s try as a group to love beyond reason and help our neighbors first,” Barras wrote.
Author: Christian Standard
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