Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Hello Folks,
     This week at Greeneville First Church of God we are celebrating VBS.  Children will come in from our community and from our congregation to be part of the activities that we offer.  One of the things that we do is next Sunday morning in our worship services we will allow the workers and participants of VBS to lead our worship.  I will then have the opportunity to preach to the all of those who will be here solely to support their children or grandchildren and would not enter our doors if it were not for that.  We have attempted to make VBS a type of outreach for us over the past few years.  Every year on that Sunday we will have a number of visitors and family members will sit in our services hearing the message of Jesus Christ.  I ask you to pray for me that I will be able to preach the gospel of Jesus and that lives will be changed because of what happens here. 
     I tell you about this because this has been the mindset that I have approached the ministry of this congregation.  It has been my idea to use the normal things we do in an effort to reach people for Christ.  So our special events will attempt to get people into our doors and to point them to Jesus.  One part of that is to attempt to have good follow up on those who have attended.  This has not always worked well as it seems that most folks know that if they give us their address that opens them up to being contacted whether it be by phone, letter or in person.  It would seem to me that if all we do is for those who are a part of this congregation we have missed the idea of the Great Commission.  If a congregation is not living out the Great Commission then it seems to me that they are not being what God has directed us to be.
     Well, I pray this summer gives you great opportunity to share the message of Christ to our world.  May He bless you and use you in this endeavor.

Have a great day,

HGRudd