A SEASON OF GRATITUDE
In years past, local churches began in places where there was a need for Bible preaching, Christian instruction, and fellowship. In many cases, local churches were situated in communities or neighborhoods where many of their members lived and worked. In urban settings, people would walk to church. In communities with less dense populations, people would drive to church. Some churches had bus ministries which would provide transportation to and from church (and some still have this feature).
Regardless of where the church was located, it was considered a resource for those who lived in that community. A few churches even include the word community in their names to emphasize their focus on those around them.
Much about church ministry has changed in the past fifty years, as travel and technology have so dramatically changed the way we accomplish even the most basic of tasks. People may travel great distances to go to church, and the proliferation of media has allowed many churches to extend their reach around the world. People may regularly participate in church services even though they live in another state, or even in another country.
A generation ago, many churches had two kinds of mission activity—foreign missions and home missions. The distinction was as their names indicated—foreign missions took place in other countries, and home missions were conducted close to home.
If you had been a member of many churches fifty years ago, you would have attended services where those who traveled to or lived in far-off lands would come and give a report about what kind of work was being done there. Some incredible testimonies of dramatic changes were shared, and an appeal was always made for support for the cause or the people group the missionary represented. We have had those kinds of services at World Harvest Church, and we have heard some of the most powerful testimonies of God’s grace on those occasions. When there are no available eyewitnesses of God moving in mission activity, a video can also provide compelling testimony of God working among those who desperately need Him.
For instance, our Bridge of Hope outreach has been involved in South Sudan for decades, where we have been privileged to set tens of thousands free from the bondage of slavery. We have also provided multiplied thousands of pounds of food, medicine, and other supplies to those in that region—and we have no plans to stop now.
However, the other kind of mission activity is just as important—and that is ministry to underserved populations close to home. Many times, the most desperate needs can be found among those in our own neighborhoods or communities. There are many opportunities for fruitful ministry down the street or around the corner from our church facilities.
You may remember that during the COVID-19 pandemic, many people were out of work since their businesses were closed by government decree. Food insecurity skyrocketed. The federal government partnered with organizations that would agree to distribute food aid to those who needed it. At World Harvest Church, we gave millions of pounds of food to those in our community from the parking lot in front of our church. It involved a lot of effort, but the smiles, the gratitude, and at times, the tears of those receiving it provided all of us with the assurance that it was well worth the work involved in making it happen.
I realize that not every local church will have the chance to do something of that magnitude regarding food aid, but every act of generosity meets a need in some way. Just because you can’t do something involving millions or thousands doesn’t mean you can’t do anything to make an impact.
Here is an example. One of our outreaches is called Sidewalk Sunday School. In November, instead of traveling to a neighborhood with our trailer and team, we conducted the service on a Saturday afternoon in the parking lot of our church. We had never done this event at the church before, and we were unsure of how many people would participate. The weather that day was cold and very windy.
We were amazed at the response! People came from everywhere, and they received ministry, not just for their children, but for themselves. In addition, since it was a few days before Thanksgiving Day, we gave away turkeys to families. Between that event and the Sunday service the following day, we were able to supply nearly 1,000 families with a Thanksgiving turkey.
At our Elkhart campus, where we have a food pantry that supplies local families on a regular basis, we gave away turkeys, potatoes, and pies to many more people. Those staples are the basis for Thanksgiving dinner for many families—and we were able to provide it for them.
Food distribution is certainly not the only way to have an effective mission outreach to your town or neighborhood. However, it seems as though food is always at or near the top of the list for those who have needs. In addition, nothing will minister to a hungry person more immediately than simply giving them something to eat. It can be nothing more complicated than having a wiener roast at a local park. Who knows what kinds of doors will open for you when you do?
Homelessness is at an all-time high in America. Its causes and remedies are the subject of much debate and disagreement, but one thing is certain—people who have no place to live are suffering. I am currently exploring options for providing a facility as a warming shelter for those in our community who are unhoused. This is particularly important during this season of the year. By the time you are reading this, my area has experienced successive nights of single digit low temperatures. For those who live in a warm home, that is an inconvenience. For those who have no home, it is a potentially life-threatening situation. I will keep you informed of developments in this area.
There are other outreaches every local church can undertake that fit their specific vision for their own community. Let the Lord lead you regarding the resources that are available to you, the people God has given you who are willing to serve, and the needs that are represented where you live. It will open avenues of ministry that go beyond your imagination. Let me explain what I mean.
My pastor, Dr. Lester Sumrall, maintained that when you become involved in giving to those who are impoverished, underserved, and overlooked, you will attract the attention of others. He was not talking about attracting the attention of critics or naysayers. He was referring to those of substantial financial means who will see or hear about what you are doing and want to participate with you by providing finances to your efforts. They may never come to your church or attend your events. They may not agree with you about a whole host of issues. They may not even like you very much, or at all. They will, however, be happy to know that their money is being used to alleviate suffering. I can guarantee that the hungry or the homeless who receive the benefit of their generosity will not care from whom the money to feed them or warm them came.
I believe that one of the most important factors in every strong community is one or more strong local churches. One of the hallmarks of a strong local church is that it takes its commission seriously—to go into all the world, certainly, but to not overlook the needs of its own neighbors while ministering to those on distant shores. I believe God will open the windows of heaven to provide such churches with all the resources they need to fund all the elements of vision that God inspires in them.
I understand that these kinds of outreaches cannot be built in a day. However, I believe that God will give every local church and pastor wisdom and understanding to become a force for righteousness in their own community or city that cannot be ignored or overlooked. I believe God is positioning local churches right now to be a righteous resource that will bring healing, hope, and help to those who have had none. Our greatest opportunity for kingdom impact is at hand!
Yours for the Harvest,
Dr. Rod Parsley
Founder & General Overseer
Regardless of where the church was located, it was considered a resource for those who lived in that community. A few churches even include the word community in their names to emphasize their focus on those around them.
Much about church ministry has changed in the past fifty years, as travel and technology have so dramatically changed the way we accomplish even the most basic of tasks. People may travel great distances to go to church, and the proliferation of media has allowed many churches to extend their reach around the world. People may regularly participate in church services even though they live in another state, or even in another country.
A generation ago, many churches had two kinds of mission activity—foreign missions and home missions. The distinction was as their names indicated—foreign missions took place in other countries, and home missions were conducted close to home.
If you had been a member of many churches fifty years ago, you would have attended services where those who traveled to or lived in far-off lands would come and give a report about what kind of work was being done there. Some incredible testimonies of dramatic changes were shared, and an appeal was always made for support for the cause or the people group the missionary represented. We have had those kinds of services at World Harvest Church, and we have heard some of the most powerful testimonies of God’s grace on those occasions. When there are no available eyewitnesses of God moving in mission activity, a video can also provide compelling testimony of God working among those who desperately need Him.
For instance, our Bridge of Hope outreach has been involved in South Sudan for decades, where we have been privileged to set tens of thousands free from the bondage of slavery. We have also provided multiplied thousands of pounds of food, medicine, and other supplies to those in that region—and we have no plans to stop now.
However, the other kind of mission activity is just as important—and that is ministry to underserved populations close to home. Many times, the most desperate needs can be found among those in our own neighborhoods or communities. There are many opportunities for fruitful ministry down the street or around the corner from our church facilities.
You may remember that during the COVID-19 pandemic, many people were out of work since their businesses were closed by government decree. Food insecurity skyrocketed. The federal government partnered with organizations that would agree to distribute food aid to those who needed it. At World Harvest Church, we gave millions of pounds of food to those in our community from the parking lot in front of our church. It involved a lot of effort, but the smiles, the gratitude, and at times, the tears of those receiving it provided all of us with the assurance that it was well worth the work involved in making it happen.
I realize that not every local church will have the chance to do something of that magnitude regarding food aid, but every act of generosity meets a need in some way. Just because you can’t do something involving millions or thousands doesn’t mean you can’t do anything to make an impact.
Here is an example. One of our outreaches is called Sidewalk Sunday School. In November, instead of traveling to a neighborhood with our trailer and team, we conducted the service on a Saturday afternoon in the parking lot of our church. We had never done this event at the church before, and we were unsure of how many people would participate. The weather that day was cold and very windy.
We were amazed at the response! People came from everywhere, and they received ministry, not just for their children, but for themselves. In addition, since it was a few days before Thanksgiving Day, we gave away turkeys to families. Between that event and the Sunday service the following day, we were able to supply nearly 1,000 families with a Thanksgiving turkey.
At our Elkhart campus, where we have a food pantry that supplies local families on a regular basis, we gave away turkeys, potatoes, and pies to many more people. Those staples are the basis for Thanksgiving dinner for many families—and we were able to provide it for them.
Food distribution is certainly not the only way to have an effective mission outreach to your town or neighborhood. However, it seems as though food is always at or near the top of the list for those who have needs. In addition, nothing will minister to a hungry person more immediately than simply giving them something to eat. It can be nothing more complicated than having a wiener roast at a local park. Who knows what kinds of doors will open for you when you do?
Homelessness is at an all-time high in America. Its causes and remedies are the subject of much debate and disagreement, but one thing is certain—people who have no place to live are suffering. I am currently exploring options for providing a facility as a warming shelter for those in our community who are unhoused. This is particularly important during this season of the year. By the time you are reading this, my area has experienced successive nights of single digit low temperatures. For those who live in a warm home, that is an inconvenience. For those who have no home, it is a potentially life-threatening situation. I will keep you informed of developments in this area.
There are other outreaches every local church can undertake that fit their specific vision for their own community. Let the Lord lead you regarding the resources that are available to you, the people God has given you who are willing to serve, and the needs that are represented where you live. It will open avenues of ministry that go beyond your imagination. Let me explain what I mean.
My pastor, Dr. Lester Sumrall, maintained that when you become involved in giving to those who are impoverished, underserved, and overlooked, you will attract the attention of others. He was not talking about attracting the attention of critics or naysayers. He was referring to those of substantial financial means who will see or hear about what you are doing and want to participate with you by providing finances to your efforts. They may never come to your church or attend your events. They may not agree with you about a whole host of issues. They may not even like you very much, or at all. They will, however, be happy to know that their money is being used to alleviate suffering. I can guarantee that the hungry or the homeless who receive the benefit of their generosity will not care from whom the money to feed them or warm them came.
I believe that one of the most important factors in every strong community is one or more strong local churches. One of the hallmarks of a strong local church is that it takes its commission seriously—to go into all the world, certainly, but to not overlook the needs of its own neighbors while ministering to those on distant shores. I believe God will open the windows of heaven to provide such churches with all the resources they need to fund all the elements of vision that God inspires in them.
I understand that these kinds of outreaches cannot be built in a day. However, I believe that God will give every local church and pastor wisdom and understanding to become a force for righteousness in their own community or city that cannot be ignored or overlooked. I believe God is positioning local churches right now to be a righteous resource that will bring healing, hope, and help to those who have had none. Our greatest opportunity for kingdom impact is at hand!
Yours for the Harvest,
Dr. Rod Parsley
Founder & General Overseer