Jerusalem
As I'm writing this today, a team from our local church body is en route from Jamaica to Atlanta returning home from a mission trip. They went to help better the facilities at an orphanage, give medical assistance, take school supplies, and minister to children. My first mission trip at the age of 13 was to Jamaica. There's nothing like the opportunity to serve Jesus in "the ends of the earth." Though Jamaica may not literally be the ends of the earth in proximity to us, the scripture still comes to life..
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. - Acts 1:8
Too often we look to the ends of the earth and neglect our Jerusalem. There must be a reason the local mission was mentioned first. Many, if not most people, will not have the chance of traveling to a distant land. Everyone that is physically able can be witnesses in Jerusalem. Serving is part of being that witness.
The local director and his family of Teen Challenge here in our community has been living in a camper trailer for two years. The roof has been leaking for many months and their children have become ill due to mold. They spend each day pouring into the lives of male teens as obedient ministry to the call of God. All the while, they ask for nothing personally. True servants of Christ place others above themselves.
A house has now been built for the family and we have the privilege of participating in completing the construction. Being on the site today and spending time with the director was as humbling and lifting in my spirit as being in Honduras washing the feet of children. The purpose behind each is to be witnesses.
There must be people who continue to fulfill this scripture and reach the ends of the earth. However, the mission begins right here - Jerusalem.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. - Acts 1:8
Too often we look to the ends of the earth and neglect our Jerusalem. There must be a reason the local mission was mentioned first. Many, if not most people, will not have the chance of traveling to a distant land. Everyone that is physically able can be witnesses in Jerusalem. Serving is part of being that witness.
The local director and his family of Teen Challenge here in our community has been living in a camper trailer for two years. The roof has been leaking for many months and their children have become ill due to mold. They spend each day pouring into the lives of male teens as obedient ministry to the call of God. All the while, they ask for nothing personally. True servants of Christ place others above themselves.
A house has now been built for the family and we have the privilege of participating in completing the construction. Being on the site today and spending time with the director was as humbling and lifting in my spirit as being in Honduras washing the feet of children. The purpose behind each is to be witnesses.
There must be people who continue to fulfill this scripture and reach the ends of the earth. However, the mission begins right here - Jerusalem.
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