Why Outreach

by David Shannon

Why Outreach? The outreach teams at MJ offer tremendous benefits to our congregation and to others. An outreach team meets once a month to eat a meal, visit and distribute "outreach cards." Outreach cards inform of those who could use a note of encouragement; such as those in hospitals, sick at home, recent losses in their life, etc. Another blessing of the program is the fellowship it offers. In the scriptures fellowship is not only a blessing, it is an example from the first day of the church ( Acts 2:42). God never intended for folks to be brothers and sisters "on the fringe" of a congregation. God intended for us to love and serve each other, but we must know each other to be able to do so. When a team is performing its function, it helps to move folks closer together, further from "the fringe". A report several years ago tracked new converts and found that every convert who had not developed at least seven close relationships in their congregation fell away within the first year! All of them! Building relationships is "that" important for all of us. We were not saved to walk this way alone. The outreach team is one venue by which this is accomplished at MJ. Don't miss the opportunity to be around 10-15 of the same folks once a month to share a meal, spend time visiting, and the opportunity to form friendships. Another benefit of the program is that cards are distributed informing us of individuals or families we can encourage by mailing a card or making a call. Often, very often, when visiting hospitals folks will describe how they have received more cards from MJ than they have from their home church. Others have offered meaningful insight with tears in their eyes of the encouragement the cards have been during their difficult recovery from surgeries, treatments, losses, and sometime they conclude, "and those folks don't even know me, but they care. That means so much!" If you missed the reorganization of outreach teams Sunday, but would like to make a six month commitment (that is once a month) or have questions, please contact Tim Smith at 773-5353.
1 John 1:7 "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."

• Outreach Reaches Out -Jul 20, 2008