04/10/2009: "But, I Won't Do That"

“But, I won't do that” the homeless man said when I mentioned to him that he should pray every day. He had admitted to being a Christian and I was explaining to him about the power of prayer. I had met the man at one of the two Community H.U.G. (His. Uplifting Grace) Cookouts Community Bible Church's Local Out-Team were holding in two parks in Forest Park, Georgia on Saturday, March 21, 2009. A local church, Living Faith Tabernacle partnered with us for the event.

At the same time, a woman was being prayed for behind the trees off to the side as one of our volunteers ministered to a homeless woman sitting in one of the chairs we had provided.

Hands were being shook, people were being hugged and everyone was being told that everything being offered was provided by God, through us so that we could demonstrate the love of Christ within their community.

Some children played on the swing sets while others played basketball. Many guests were sitting in the chairs we had formed in a semi-circle chatting with our volunteers while others sat under the arbor enjoying the meal God had provided. Many of the elderly took Christian children books for their grandchildren while parents helped their children choose books and school supplies. One middle age woman, professing to be a Christian, admitted to having never owned a bible until she was given one at the event. A grandmother thanked us for the bible given her explaining that her young grandchild had ripped many of he pagers out of the bible she owned.

Volunteers combed the neighborhood informing residents of the cookouts. One elderly woman being physically unable to make the walk, asked if we would deliver her a plate of food. The volunteer who delivered the food (one of our Pastors) found her real need was not in physical nourishment, but in emotional nurturing. The woman had recently lost her husband and lived alone. She needed Christian companionship... the love of Christ shared through a caring heart. Our Pastor ministered to her for some time and her information was provided to the local church for continued follow-up.

God had blessed us that day. Satan had tossed some obstacles in our path (only one vehicle equipped to tow trailers while we had two trailers full of equipment and supplies, as well as a flat tire on one of the trailers after we had it loaded) but God's will had overcome these obstacles. We accomplished our goals and ministered to the community. But there is more to the story.

In at least one of our Sunday morning church services the story of the elderly lady was recited by the Pastor involved, energizing the congregation. The church which cooperated with us and shared the success now plans to conduct similar events of their own in the area. The volunteers were blessed by their personal contact with those in need within the community and have a renewed appreciation for their own blessings. Some might have witnessed to others for the very first time. The church that partnered with us now has a list of people in the community which they can minister to and possibly bring into their congregation. And, last but certainly not least, the community now knows that someone cares about them and the love exhibited was the unselfish, unadulterated love of Christ.

In coming days I am certain I will hear about more blessings that I did not personally witness which arose during and out of the event. If you have ever wondered if holding such an event was worthwhile for your church, small group, or Sunday school class I think you now know the answer.

After writing this article I received a phone call. Of those ministered to yesterday, two couples and a teenager were in services this morning at Living Faith Tabernacle. The teenager walked the aisle and accepted Christ. GOD IS GOOD!