Urban Hope 2010 ~ Overview

Report from Jason Holt, Director of Church Ministry at Urban Hope, reports on Mid-Atlantic District weekend.

"Last weekend (April 24) the Mid-Atlantic District brought 75 people to Urban Hope for the annual block party. Four streets were blocked off to have games for kids. The "cultivating event" was designed to make contacts with people in the community and there was a great response. 439 people registered, which means there were around 600 in attendance, if not more! The ministry team did a great job helping as well as many others from our church - the extra block of Tioga and blocks of Ella St. were very helpful with the large crowd. Praise God for all the neighbors who came through with signatures and the police department's positive response to our request to close the street. We had 92 kids at Kingdom Kids today and were able to invite many new kids whose names we got from the block party yesterday."

Note: we plan to hear a report on 5/16/2010 during both services.

When God Says No!

We were reminded this past Sunday that even though God said "Yes" to the three men in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3) that there are times when He says "No" (3:18). The phrase "but if not" is a reminder that sometimes we do have to go through the trial, the hardship, the testing. Sometimes God does not heal a marriage, heal a sickness, restore a relationship for reasons that we may not know. But one very important thing to remember is that God does walk with us through the trial to encourage and support us. Isaiah wrote, concerning God's presence through the times of suffering, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you..." (Isa 43:2a). So when an all wise, all loving, all powerful God says "No" to our petitions, He also promises to walk with us through that difficult time.

Urban Hope 2010 ~ Photo Link

Thanks to all who served the Lord from our church and District at Urban Hope in Philadelphia. We look forward to hearing the reports of what God did. We are grateful for answers to prayer for ministry effectiveness and safety of travel. If you would like to see more pictures of the event you can go HERE and click on the appropriate title. You can also click on the picture above to enlarge it.

Urban Hope 2010 Ministry Team

Please be in prayer for the ministry team from our church to Urban Hope. Thanks to all of you who have helped to make this possible as we seek to bring the message of hope in Jesus to another area of our country that desperately needs to know Him. Please be in prayer for safety of travel, for ministry opportunities, for lives transformed and for the impact that it will have on our folks as well. (click on picture for larger image).

Thank You and an Invitation

I wanted to say a big "THANK YOU" to so many of you who have stepped in to ministry areas recently. Of course, a big "THANK YOU" to many of you who have served for some time. Some of you are transitioning in areas of ministry also. I have really been impressed to see individuals joining the team to help with ministry needs.

I also want to offer an invitation for some of you who may not yet become involved, to join us in the mission. There are opportunities to teach in Children's Sunday School, Children's Church, music, nursing homes, hands on ministry of helps with things around the church, organization, etc. Please prayerfully seek God's direction for where He might be leading you to serve Him and His church. We never have a sign out saying, "No Help Wanted".

One of purposes as a church is to help followers of Christ get involved in serving Him (Eph 4:11-12). This includes training and providing opportunities to invest one's life in things that outlive this world.

Again, thank you to all of you who serve the Lord through the ministry of Valley Grace, and those of you considering joining with us on mission. We are looking forward to what God is going to do through us.

Seven Characteristics of People With a Heart for the Lost

What are the seven characteristics of people who care about lost people? Thom Rainer lists the following:

1. They are people of prayer. They realize that only God can change a heart and bring conversion. Salvation is a work of God.
2. They understand the urgency of salvation -- that people without Christ are headed to an eternity separated from Him, with no possibility of change once they have stepped out of this life.
3. They are people who spend time in God's Word in order to understand God's heart for lost people and Christ's love for the lost.
4. They are compassionate people. They are moved with compassion as Jesus was, for those who are lost.
5. They love the communities where God has placed them. They realize they are called to make a difference in their places of employment, their schools, their recreation, as they coach teams, etc.
6. They are intentional about their evangelism. They pray for opportunities to share the gospel and look for the opportunities that God creates.
7. They are accountable to someone for their evangelistic activities. Life can be filled with a lot of good things, but we must not neglect the most important elements as well.

Thom Rainer has entitled his post, "Seven Characteristics of Highly Evangelistic Christians" (you can read the complete post here). This is a good reminder to be about the business of Jesus since He has called all of us to be involved in reaching those around us for Him.

Weekend Reflection ~ 3/28/2010

Great weekend, thanks for all who contributed!

• Spring clean up was a great success. Much was accomplished and looks so much better in preparation for Palm Sunday. Terrific breakfast sandwiches! Good fellowship as well.
• Palm Sunday - great job. Thanks to Chuck & Erika for their leadership with the program, Choir for your participation, those who helped with costumes, lighting, sound, construction, support and those who invited friends to come. Please pray that there may be some who consider the claims of Christ and become a follower of Him.
• Communion Service - thanks to the Deacon Committee for their preparation and their help. Neat time to reflect on Christ's provision for our salvation: past, present & future.

Well done, church! Christ was honored!!