GO!

One of CCC’s Core Values is Intentional Outreach: “Because God loves lost people, we love lost people.”

The Bible records that when Jesus “saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36).

Matthew goes on to write, “Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field’” (vv. 37-38).

Our GO Mission Conference yesterday explored, in many ways, what it looks like to join Jesus in that harvest field – “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Our building lobby became a tangible expression of God’s people on mission, with exhibits by more than two dozen ministries and missionaries, ranging from Columbus to China.

Pastor Derrick Shields’ morning message focused on Jesus’ love and compassion for the lost, and how we can reach out.

The evening program continued that challenge, with three guest speakers asking us to consider how God is calling each of us to a missional lifestyle.

CCC member Nick Cash, who is serving as a chaplain aboard the hospital ship m/v Africa Mercy, cited a Dallas Willard quote: “What’s the next right thing you’re supposed to do?”

Teen Challenge’s Andrew Chalmers started a local movement, Take the City, and shared a story of how investing in outreach to a Phenix City neighborhood led to the rescue of a woman from an abusive relationship and into the saving arms of Christ.

Chalmers asked, “What if we had not gone into that neighborhood?”, and challenged us with another question: "Are we truly the hands, are we truly the feet of Christ?” 

Linda Adams of the Free Methodist Church’s International Child Care Ministries concluded the evening with a verse-by-verse examination of 2 Corinthians 9:8-16, which includes our 2014 theme verse: “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

Linda ended her talk by saying “Don’t do this” – here she held her arms inward – “But do this,” opening her hands to represent an expression of giving and going.

Outward focus to a lost world - that’s God’s call to us. Let’s GO!

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