Reflections

If God allows us to see Saturday, August 8 we anticipate hundreds of attendees at our 7th Annual Community Fair.  This event, which was birthed in the Women of All Seasons Class, brings us into contact with more people who need Jesus than years worth of gospel meetings would.  It is important for us to remember why we host the community fair, or for that matter have any ministries that touch the community.  The goal is not to just give away clothes, school supplies, and expose attendees to social service agencies.  Ministry is always about meeting people at their felt need and leading them to their ultimate need for Christ and salvation.  The church must never forget her mission: to make and develop followers for Christ.  As final preparations are made for the Community Fair, we encourage you to do the following:

• Pray God will exceed our expectations for the fair.  God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.  Pray that God will give us more attendees than we have planned for and that there will be more souls won for Christ than we ever imagined.
• Be a friendly face and a helping hand at the fair.  People may not remember what you say or do, but they will remember how you made them feel.  If the community is going to feel the love of Christ, we must demonstrate the love of Christ.  Go beyond just smiling and saying hi.  Help them find what they are looking for.  Offer to walk around the fair with them to keep an eye on their children while they talk with the vendors.  Ask if there are specific things that they would like you to pray about on their behalf.
• Invite them to visit us again.  Our Youth Transformation begins on Sunday, August 9.  On that day we will have a special “Back to School Prayer Service” for all of the students, parents, teachers, staff, and administrators.  Youth Transformation will continue through Wednesday, August 12.  In September we will have a special series of messages that focus on the family, “The Connected Family”.  We would love if the families of the community joined our church family as we seek to build strong families.