Love God; Love Everyone: CCC Summer Outreach Brings Harvest to Community

Over the summer, one of Christ Community’s largest focuses was outreach, bringing this year’s theme of Harvest out of the church doors and into the community. In total, CCC served the community by planning and serving in 29 outreach events. While many of the ministry and outreach partners benefitted from these activities, those who participated were equally as impacted by their experiences. 
 
Check out some of the testimonials from the CCC volunteers: 

​“I loved that I served with people I normally don’t hang out with. Brandon and the whole Arise gang totally made our Lakebottom cookout a success. It was great getting to know those guys and see their passion for loving others like Jesus first hand. I also loved joining Bernard Ford, who I’ve met briefly on Sunday mornings, and my good friend Kristin Shreve for the neighborhood outreach. The community I experienced in outreach was one of my favorite parts of the summer!” – Lauren Heath,  Lakebottom Outreach 
 
“As we left CCC to go on the house to house outreach, it seemed so appropriate that we would be going to share with those right in our backyard. People right near us are in need of the love and forgiveness of Christ. We had ones receive us at their doorstep, one sharing her deep burden for prayer. It showed me the need for sharing Christ with those near and far.” – Barbara Carroll, Door to Door Outreach 
 
“Early in 2018, Pam sent a video to the Staff from a ministry run by some of our CCC folks; that was my first introduction to Enoch Ministries. When I saw that building a tortoise and bunny habitat was one of the Summer Outreach events, I was intrigued! I remembered from the video how she uses these animals in sessions with her clients of all ages to help teach boundaries; every animal (and there are a lot) is used in the healing process, it is beautiful. We had two work days this summer and made great progress on the fencing, benches, and flower boxes. It is our desire to have two work days this fall to lay sod, plant trees and building a mud hole for the tortoises. This a great outreach for the whole family!” – Denise Stephens, Enoch Ministries Outreach 

“God blew me away during mysummer outreach experience! The plan was a simple one - take treats and encouraging notes to Treadstone Summer staff twice a month. The result was by week three-- I had staff meeting me at the door offering to carry in the basket of “happies” just so they could tell me how much the note had meant to them last time or that the treat had been their lunch. Really? It was just a power bar, a water bottle and a pack of crackers and tuna.  Then, I realized it was the touch that mattered. It was looking in their eyes and telling them thank you for teaching kids this summer and keeping them safe. They were seen, they had been prayed for and in the process the blessing was mine because for a very brief time our prayers, time and treats made a difference in these young adults.  Praise be to God.” – Laura Lea Martin, Treadstone Climbing Gym Outreach
 
“It can feel intimidating reaching out to strangers, especially about church because we aren’t sure how our outreach will be received. However, I was able to serve with some sweet, loving church members who just offered strangers a bottle of water. This opened the door to invite them to church or offer to pray for them.   Everyone we encountered was kind and I truly loved spending the time with the other church members!” – Patti Kelly, Rails to Trails Outreach
 
“Our small group handed out water and oranges on the rails to trails path. Outreach sounds really scary at first,  but writing encouragement in sidewalk chalk and offering people water wound up being a lot of fun—for our whole family.  Some people stopped to talk and we shared Christ Community with them and invited them to church.  Some just grabbed a treat and were able to keep running.  Either was fine.  It was such a blessing to have a chance to watch our kids eagerly serve.  I hope that by doing things like this now when they are young, it will make serving something they aren’t initially scared of when they’re my age. “ – Amanda Newman, Rails to Trails Outreach 
 
“Summer neighborhood outreach was the perfect opportunity for my children and I to practice sharing God's love with our neighbors, even if they may be strangers. As we went door to door passing out VBS invites, our hearts grew with excitement with each doorbell ring. We were met with people that were open to our invitation, hungry for the community our church offers, and met with sincere prayer needs. As I prayed for each person, they would always say "thank you" or even have streams of tears flowing down their faces by the time I said, "amen". What a treasure for my children and I to experience first-hand the love of our living God!” – Kristin Gow, VBS Outreach
 
“I was so moved to watch the excitement rise on the faces of Reese Rd Educators as they came together for Prayer, Pep Rally and a delicious hot breakfast. Five of us from CCC came together, beside them, as they started their journey on the good foot, with God leading the way.  Teachers were uplifted, pleased and encouraged by our participation.  It made me feel more connected with the teachers of Reese Road.” – Pat Flowers, Reese Road Leadership Academy Outreach 

Check out some of the photos from this summer's outreach activities below!

Interested in how you can serve your community? Visit the LIVE Booth this Sunday to find out where you can give your time, financial blessings and prayers or view the calendar for outreach opportunities here! 

By Haley Borin

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