fruitland community

Thoughts on Kingdom Stuff

I was reflecting on what God is doing in our midst for the Kingdom and frankly, I was finding myself being thankful and a little overwhelmed!  If you are paying attention, God has been doing some amazing things...

1. Just recently a small group went down to FBC, Chalmette, to work on some finishing details on the building.  We've had groups go down every year (as well as many from around the country) and they are finally in their building and reaching out to a community devatsted by Katrina.  They have been reaching and baptizing folks for the Kingdom!  What a privilege to be a part of helping rebuild that lighthouse!
2. This week, Sean, Katie, Grant, Camden, and Seth Benesh left for Vancouver...it was a privilege to commission them as a church last Sunday!!  Even though we hadn't budgeted for Vancouver, our church and invididuals gave $1300 for their Cobra Insurance, and $2093 for their moving expenses!  Wow!  Lord willing, I will be going up to a vision trip to Vancouver, January 18-20.  It will be exciting to see how God is going to use FCC and other churches for the Kingdom work in Vancouver!
3. El Salvador...there is a group of 10 or so in El Salvador this week working with FBC, Millersville's partner church and doing training with the Pastors!  We are a part of that!  In June we will be sending a team to do work with our church partnerships and training of the pastors!  What a privilege.
4. Thanksgiving Basket Give-away this coming Saturday, November 21...we will be giving out meat, canned goods, fruit, bread, and gospels of John to 120 families!!  This is our annual Thanksgiving outreach that we do together with the Cowboy Church.  If you would like to participate, we need volunteers at FCC from 10 am to 12:30 or so to pack and deliver Thanksgiving boxes.  How fun!
5. Operation Christmas Child boxes are coming in (deadline November 22) and World Hunger Banks are filling up (deadline November 29).

These are some 'official partnerships' and projects with our church, but I am just as excited about what God is doing with individuals and groups within our church.  Just this week I learned of the FCC College group's plans to give away 500 cups of chili on the Southeast campus and the BSU's outreach effort for finals' week (details will be in the bulletin).  Another young person talked about planning an ethnic dinner at church and a time of prayer for the International students on campus.  Another asked if he could have Thanksgiving Dinner in his home for folks who are not going to be with family this Thanksgiving. 

It is amazing that God is giving us increasing corporate projects and partnerships, but it is just as amazing to watch individuals respond to the prompting on God's Spirit to reach out beyond themselves.

What has God put on your heart?