God at Work

You’ve probably heard it said that if you want to find purpose in life, find out where God is at work, then join Him. Let me recommend one of those places…

As I write this on April 14, Sandi and I have just returned from a three-day mission trip to Bruce Outreach Center in Westernport, MD. We joined four men from our church – Dave and Eric Nelson, Don Abernathy and Duane Beverly – in installing plumbing, insulation and drywall in an area, which will be used as a Christian Day-Care Center. This will be just one of the many ministries that this amazing Baptist church provides for their community.

In the summer of 2011, about 40 of our church members took a week-long mission trip to help establish this church. Pastor Steffan Carr and a handful of his church members took a gigantic leap of faith in purchasing the abandoned high school building in Westernport. They didn’t know how they could get even a portion of the old building in usable condition, but they envisioned the many ways in which it could be used to meet some of the severe needs of their coal-mining community. They also believed that God would make a way where there seems to be no way.

He has! Sometimes God’s provision there has been miraculous. At other times, it has been through His calling brothers and sisters in faith to partner with them in ministry. That’s what Faith did in 2011, when our members went into the high school auditorium and cleaned, water-proofed, painted, hung curtains, built a stage and installed a sound system. This past Sunday, 160 people worshipped in that location and one person made a first-time profession of faith in Christ! In the five years since they began, God has blessed their faith. You can go to their website (www.BruceOutreachCenter.com) and see some of the many ministries that this small church is providing. It truly has become an outreach to the community!

Our church is sponsoring another mission team to Westernport this year, June 25 –July 1, to encourage and bless that church. Some of our members will form an outreach team to go into the community. We will also plan a block party to increase the visibility of the church. Our construction team will finish the construction of the Day-Care Center and begin work on three rooms that will be used as apartments for single women /moms. Another team will provide painting/clean-up/dress-up for the areas which are used for other ministries. Still other members will assist in food preparation and serve on prayer teams. There will be a place for people of all ages to serve.

Orientation meetings will begin early in May for anyone who feels that God may be calling them to join in the work at Westernport, June 25-July 1. Don’t miss this opportunity to be where the love of Christ is reaching others in very tangible ways.

You can be a tremendous encouragement to those on the front lines of this ministry!