webmaster posted on December 10, 2009 13:34
Jesus said to them… “As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” John 20:21
The members of First Baptist Church, Columbus, Indiana have taken Jesus’ words very seriously.
The Mission Team of the church began dreaming of ways to allow every church member to be a missionary, regardless of age or skill level. Each of us can pray for and give to missions; however, Jesus has called each of us to do missions as well. They were inspired to create a single day of ministry, with a variety of projects available. August 15 was selected as the date, ministry projects were identified, and sign-ups began for the church’s first Faith in Action day, led by Kip Wright.
Four groups were targeted to receive the efforts of the church members. Love Chapel is the primary food pantry for Columbus, and a number of church members already volunteer there on a weekly basis. Sans Souci is a not-for-profit whose goal is to assist in attaining and maintaining a self-sufficient family environment. One church member serves on its Board. Richards Elementary School is directly across the street from the church. A member of First Baptist is a teacher at Clifty Creek Elementary School.
As Faith in Action day approached, there were many more volunteers than had been anticipated, so the scope of the projects was increased. The Mission Team had originally planned for five projects; they ended up completing eight. They had hoped to have as many as forty volunteers; eighty-eight showed up on the work day, ranging in age from 8 to 85.
Finally, on August 15, the hands and feet of Christ were very busy in Columbus, IN. Eighty-eight bodies strong, they cleaned kitchens and bathrooms, moved furniture, sorted and put away donations, worked on a playground, made “Teacher Care” kits, upgraded a house used for transitional housing, and painted a number of places, including a 7,000 square foot building.
It was a tiring day. The common response of the volunteers, however, was, “When can we do this again?”
Pastor Dan Cash says, “Our Faith in Action Day was a good example of a congregation beginning to live its way into new ways of thinking and being, rather than just trying to think our way there. By putting hands and feet to the effort, we had an experience that reinforced our belief in looking beyond ourselves and participating in God's mission together.”