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11/21/2008: "Touching Lives They Don't Even Know."
Here is a great example of how one Community Bible Church small group is sharing the word. The ministry they chose to support was the Bible League Ministry which serves 62 countries around the world. In 2007, over nearly 18 million bibles were distributed around the globe, and as a result, 231,487 bible study groups were formed by trained Missionaries worldwide. Nearly 3.3 million people were gathered into those groups! The Bible League missionaries in this sect of the ministry's outreach are also church planters. In addition to the Gospel being freely given to those in need, churches are being established where they live so that they can continue in their learning of the Word and operate effectively in the church, which is a living, breathing organism that fosters spiritual development. The group did not reach out to our congregation for funding, nor did they reach out into the community. They generously reached deep into their own pockets to raise the $130.00 needed to distribute 65 bibles. As the project developed the group decided they wanted their contribution to mean something more, not because they were doing anything extravagant or grandiose, but that this was unique to touching lives that they don't even know. We wanted whoever received the bibles to know that the gift was sent in love and that it was a group effort. Group Members The group enlisted Jenny Harwood Jenny to design customized bookmarks with an appropriate bible verse and Community Bible Church contact information so that no matter where in the world the recipient was, they could reach out to the church if they ever in need of prayer, questions answered or if they desired to visit. The verse was chosen based on the premise of why we were all here: To learn about God's love, and how to allow The Lord to LOVE THRU US, reaching the needs of those around us. After explaining what the group was doing, where they were from, and that they wanted to represent the contribution uniquely with the bookmarks, Mary, a regional representative Bible League Ministry informed the group that she would appropriate their contribution specifically to a need here in the United States, specifically U.S./Hispanic ministry leaders. There is a great need for Hispanics (who know and have just learned English) to receive English translations of the Bible. The missionaries also travel to and represent their native lands including all of South America and Panama. Their Bibles are being distributed to focus on this need in a place where the message can be understood without need for interpretation. In the words of Mimi King: "We shared about how good it feels to do something outside of yourself for the sake of another. Collectively, we feel great, but are energized to continuing to share God's love-- not just by what we do and say, but how we live, and how we respond to the needs of those around us." "We have walked away realizing that all we are-- our whole purpose is to affect change by winning souls for Christ. The method is simple, and the system needs no translation/interpreting because it crosses and breaks down every barrier there is: The way to reach others and usher them into salvation is LOVE. Simple. We are here to be the conduits through which the Spirit can have full function and operate as He so chooses. His love is perfect, and since we are not, we (in our own efforts) we do not have the capacity to love perfectly. If we render ourselves to Him for His use, then He can do whatever He wants, and however he desires. Love is the key, but faith is what unlocks the door." Now, the group is considering soliciting community support in order to help share the Gospel into other nations and countries! The group has made a pact to continue in service to the community beyond the 40 days (locally) and has the power to continue on a global level as well!
One of their members, (Brenda King) heard about a ministry on the J93.3 FM Christian radio station several months ago. The group's commitment was birthed out of their initial discussions for a project, as they collectively decided to complete one (or two) projects that could affect the community locally and worldwide.
