“This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives…” – Colossians 1:6

Question for the day:  How do you actively share the love of Jesus?

We talk about missions and what we do – and that is all good.  We are called to care for the less fortunate.  But when we get to the heart of the matter, what is missions all about? Is it truly about making sure that as many as we can touch have food, shelter, and clothing?

I believe the true heart of missions is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is only by providing for the physical needs first, do we earn the right to share our faith.  How do you speak of the love of Christ to someone that lives in a constant state of need?  Without meeting those needs first, the love doesn’t translate.

That is why I am so thankful for one of our long-standing mission activities, Operation Christmas Child.  Led by Rachel Stafford, each November our children work to fill shoeboxes with all sorts of “love” for needy children around the world. It represents the heart of Christmas, and since 1993 has provided over 100 million children with a first hand experience of the love of Jesus.

Each year, normally around Veteran’s Day, children from all over our community come to Liberty Crossings to spend the afternoon wrapping boxes, hearing the stories, and preparing to launch this ministry.  The boxes are then distributed and come back filled with all sorts of items:  toys, candy, toiletries, books, – anything that might make a child’s eyes bright on Christmas Day.  They are then shipped all over the world, to children in need. – What an outreach!

To learn more about the Samaritan’s Purse organization (the parent company for OCC) please click on the link below:

Operation Christmas Child

To volunteer to help with this year’s event, please contact Rachel Stafford directly, rachelstafford@bellsouth.net

Heavenly Savior,

You are the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.  The miracle of Your birth is something that we cherish and look forward to celebrating all year long.  Lord, this year, fill our hearts with pure worship of You, and not the event.  Let us not get caught up in the trappings of the holiday season and forget what it is we actually celebrate.

Create in each of us a burning desire to celebrate You in a new way this year, by sharing the Gospel in tangible ways.  Help us to focus on our one true mission – witnessing to a hurting world.

In the name of Salvation we pray,

Amen