What if…by Kara Backes

Being Jesus to our Community…That’s what has been on my mind lately…how do we do that?  How can I do that with my family?  How can we do that as families at our church? 

I know there are a so many ways we can Be Jesus to our community.  I also know I am one of those people that wants to do it all and then at times can be crippled by the fact there are just too many options.  So what if we just try a couple things?

What if we partner with a local organization who is being Jesus to our community? 

We found Hope Ministries is doing just that. We  have had the privilege of getting to know a few from Hope.  So what “got” my kids and I, our team?  We went to Hope after doing a service project this summer and experienced the Bethel Mission; we prayed over homeless mens beds and we weren’t the same people when we left.  Adults and kids alike, we were changed.  A very simple act changed us.  So it got us thinking, we need to be changed, we need our families displaced, even if its just a little bit.  And we need to answer the call to care for the least of these. 

So we are partnering with Hope Ministries this year and we are hoping to care for the least of these in our community.  We are planning events through out the year to serve with Hope and experience Hope first hand.  Our first project will be Adopt and Brother, Sister or Child beginning November 18, culminating with a trip to the Bethel Mission downtown on December 15 to deliver or gifts and experience Hope first hand.  And I hope you and your families will join us. 

What if we continue to partner with a long standing organization who cares for those across the world?

I have a picture of a hungry child sitting in the dirt, playing with a stick.  I can’t get the picture out of my head.  Who is caring for her?  Who will bring her a Christmas present?  Has she heard about Jesus’ love?  What is my family going to do about it?  What is our church going to do?

We are partnering with Operation Christmas Child to bring the love of Jesus and a box of Christmas gifts to children around the world that would not otherwise experience any gift at Christmas time.  Have you and your kids thought about how blessed we are?  Have you thought about the picture of the child playing with a stick in the dirt?  Has it changed you?  Do you want to care for the least of these?

Join us as we bless children around the world through Operation Christmas Child.  Engage as a family as you fill a box or boxes and talk about what it really means.  Operation Christmas Child kicks off October 14^th and you won’t want to miss this opportunity!

WE may not change the whole world through these two small opportunities but we may change someone?  What if Jesus’ call to care for the least of these soaked in a bit more this season…what if our kids saw it.  What if they already do and are waiting for you to give them opportunities to share their passion for Jesus?  What if?