GodSightings

The God Who Responds

One of our crews was working in the lower ninth ward putting a roof on Mt. Carmel Church in Louisiana. By Wednesday, they were a little frustrated that they were not having much interaction with people. There are not many people living in that section of the city. So they prayed! "Lord, send us people to share your love with."

Yesterday, their jobsite was flooded with people. People who wanted to talk, people who wanted to come in and see the church, people who wanted to donate some money to the church for their rebuilding costs, people who wanted to get snowballs (shaved ice) for the team! Once again God answered above and beyond our expectations. –John Horst, EFCA TouchGlobal Crisis Response

Matthew 7:7-11 says, "Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. Fro everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened. Or what man is there among you, when his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he shall ask for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!"

He is good; He is faithful; He is God!

An Out Pouring of Support

In August of 2008, Lake Community Church in Alexandria, Minn. hosted their annual Clothing Give Away and Rummage Sale. The week-long event benefited LCC’s Care Ministry. The church received donations of clothing furniture, household goods, sporting equipment and more. Volunteers worked well into the evening preparing for what was to come.

On Friday, clothes were given away for free. Despite the fact, almost $1,700 came in. The youth even quickly put together a hot dog sale for hungry participants.

Before 7 a.m. on Saturday morning, crowds had already formed to find deals. People filled grocery bags and paid only $5 per bag. Bag after bag filled and left the building, yet there were still plenty of items to be taken.

Noon rolled around and a new aspect of the annual event began. LCC had mailed letters to area churches, ministries and social services extending invitations for them to pass along. Those in financial need were allowed to come in from noon until 1 p.m. to take everything they wanted for free. Even during this time people donated money to LCC’s Care Ministry.

To many, the time of fellowship was a blessing in and of itself. Members of the congregation connected with others who they did not have a chance to meet in worship services.

At the end of the day, over $3,700 had been raised for LCC’s Care Ministry.

Reaching Asia Through the Church

When the First Evangelical Free Church in Rapid City, SD was invited to send an Outreach English Camp (OEC) team to Asia, they prayed that the entire church would feel a part of the effort. The support from the church was overwhelming, as they raised more than $15,000 in less than six weeks. "When we came home to tell them how their prayers drew two Asian students to accept Jesus as their Savior, the church experienced answered prayer as a unit. The involvement with EFCA CONNECT and the OEC drew the church together to rally around a purpose and goal. God’s impact on our church and others has been remarkable!"