|
OUTREACH MINISTRY
THE GREAT COMMISSION
"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)
Outreach Action Group members [left to right]:- Graham Hart, Dennis Vine, Jim Mooney, Tom McFadden, Trevor Norris, Billy Norton,
OUTREACH MINISTRY
The Outreach Ministry Committee is pleased to report that we are making progress in all areas of our work. Our caring/welfare teams are helping people with transport and minor works. They feel however that the response from the congregation is still very slow and requests for help have been few. They are keen to expand and would encourage people to ask no matter how small the job may be.
The Servant Evangelism team are continuing to carry out various community works around our town and neighbourhood. They have been making contact with many people and witnessing to the love of God. If you spot them anywhere please give them encouragement. They wear distinctive coats and are always happy at their work.
We are proposing to distribute Christmas food hampers to needy families in our community, which we hope will bring glory to the name of Jesus. Please pray that God will bless this endeavour and that those people will see the love of Christ in this gesture.
It may be that people are sensitive and still reluctant about asking but if we do not know your needs then we cannot help. We give everyone a solemn pledge that all requests will be treated in the utmost confidentiality. Perhaps you know someone, maybe a friend or a neighbour who you think could use a little help but won’t ask please let us know.
Please use the Team by contacting the church office.
Services we will try to provide are: - Minor work about the house and garden.
Help with shopping and transport for hospital and doctor appointments.
Visits to housebound.
We are still on the look out for people who are willing to serve in any capacity. As it has been said “every little helps” and it is amazing how no matter how small an input, the difference it can make to someone’s life can be invaluable.
If you would like to help out please contact any member of the Outreach team or phone the Church Office.
"The Only Way To Learn How To Share Your Faith"
SERVANT EVANGELISM
Watch the SERVANT EVANGELISM VIDEO BELOW
Servant Evangelism
Servant Evangelism Annual Report
Servant Evangelism - A Functional Definition:
·"Demonstrating God's love...
· "by offering to do...
· "some humble act of service...
· "with no strings attached".
So what makes Servant Evangelism effective? It's inclusive to the whole church - It works through your character rather than your gifts - good for team building - It's quick - It's giving-centered rather than asking-centered - Allows shy people to get their feet wet - it's FUN.
We are the seed scatterers, just like in the Parable of the Sower. Matthew Ch13 3-9. As we go out and serve in our community we are planting seeds of God's love all over the place. We then put the expectation on God for the results as we rely on His grace to make those seeds grow. With that in mind, we take the pressure off ourselves because the results are not up to us. No more feelings of failure, how freeing is that!
In early January '09 Claire, Katherine, Barry and I went out to do our first Servant Evangelism project. We were not prepared in the organisational sense, but we were prepared in the serving sense! Giving up our time to serve the community and show God's love in a practical way.
 As we lifted rubbish in Woodburn Estate, we realised people had no idea who we were. We could have been doing community service for all they knew. Although we felt so good for just getting out of the church and doing something!
We went back to this same area a few times to finish a clearance job that we'd started. It took this long as we go out to serve for a maximum of two hours at a time, which makes the work, joyful service.
We started the year with four of us and by the end of the year, thirty-five people have taken part in at least one of our projects, with many others expressing interest in getting involved. We all feel a desire to make a difference, with Servant Evangelism you can!
We have been out around the centre of Carrick clearing up before local events, we've done gardening, leaf raking, also giving out chocolates to school cleaners,
 so as we gain confidence we'll try other projects.
Just being seen out in the community doing these acts of service, changes peoples perceptions of the church and that has to be an ongoing process.
We wear hi-vis jackets with “Church In The Community” on them, this is because when we do these acts of service, we are not promoting First Carrickfergus Presbyterian Church, but the church of Jesus Christ as a whole.
We also now have connect cards, which we hand out to those we serve. All the relevant information is on them, this is for the folks to get in touch with us, when we can serve them again.
Servant Evangelism is a great place to start with Outreach, The quietest person can get involved and there is no pressure on anyone to do something they're not comfortable with. The old models of Outreach have burned many in the church who now believe they can't do evangelism. As one who is let's say, is a bit quiet and shy most of the time (although I hide it well sometimes) I've found Servant Evangelism very freeing as I serve, I love to get out with friends old and new, and have so much fun lifting litter, raking leaves and a thousand other projects. Join with us and re-ignite that fire within you!
Dennis
Check out our 3 steps to reach others and share our love for Jesus with them
BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS
Outflow
This book introduces you to principles for enjoying a life that's filled to the brim with God's love, joy and hope. It starts with a deep relationship with God, then flows out to touch your family and friends. Your neighbours. Your world. They'll notice a difference... and so will you. Get ready to experience God's love in a new way – and to share it with others in a manner that's natural, simple, and heart-felt.
101 Ways To Reach Your Community
Is a super guide to those of us who wish to get outside the walls of our churches. Yes, the book originates in the U.S. And some of the ways wouldn't necessarily work in the culture of Northern Ireland, however many, many of the ways can be adapted to fit our culture. So this book is well worth a look, even if it gets your mind going to what's possible as we honour God by doing works of service.
101 Ways To Help People in Need
We are so busy with day-to-day living that we are unaware of the needs around us. This book gives insight to some of the things that we could and should be doing.
Mother Teresa once said, “It isn't necessary to move to Calcutta to do something significant”. There are people in need all around us, if we just stop and look!
These three books are available from the church library
Open the pages and let the adventure begin!
MORE REVIEWS OF Useful books to read about evangelism [all available in the church library]
Faith Stories from North Street
Links http://www.allaboutjesuschrist.org/the-great-commission.htm
www.leestrobel.com www.servantevangelism.com
http://www.wayofthemaster.com/
|
