Saturday, November 29, 2008

Your best days are yet to come!

We celebrated ten years of outreach ministry. I've heard from several people that ten years of doing outreach doesn’t come easy. I have to say that I agree. However, I've enjoyed every single day of doing the things that I do. People have told me to my face (with no disrespect intended), “I wouldn't have your job.” I don't take it personally at all, because it takes having a heart for the under dog to do what I do. You may be asking yourself: what kind of job does he have? Here is a brief job description:

For the past 10 years:

  • I have knocked on doors inviting people to come to church.

  • I have laughed and cried with people, paid people’s rent, kept their lights on, clothed children for school, bought Christmas toys, broken up fights, driven the bus to carry people not only to church but to work.

  • I have helped old ladies cross the street and walked the hallway of nursing homes.

  • In various hospitals, I have hugged the necks of people dying from AIDS and prayed for people with cancer and for those in comas.

  • I have provided a spiritual covering as well as training for pastors and flown on airplanes to travel to the mission fields.

  • I have met and prayed with men and women who were ready to walk away from their marriages devastating innocent little children. I have even sacrificed time with my own family.

  • I have had guns pulled on me – even had my vehicle stolen at gun point.
I guess you can understand why people often tell me “I wouldn't have your job.”

Well, it hasn’t been a job for me but a ministry. How do you know when it's a ministry? Its when whatever you do-whatever you put your hands to-God blesses it. It’s ministry when you have a citywide evangelism event and thousands of people show up. Can I tell you that in ten years, we have never had a rain date and God has always held back the rain. I have never taken it for granted that the people would show up for our events. I have learned that people don't care what you know until they know that you care.

There are not enough words nor do I have enough time to share with you what God has done in my life. I am careful to always give God the glory. At our 10th anniversary gala, I received the second highest civilian honor that can be given to a South Carolinian: the Palmetto Patriot’s Award. This award is awarded by the Lt. Governor’s Office. My team and I were honored by way of a South Carolina Senate resolution that named October 30th Operation GO Day. Mayor Knox White has also recognized the ministry through an Operation GO Day designation from the City of Greenville.

Next month, we will be hosting Greenville’s premiere Christmas outreach event: Holiday Hope 2008. The event will be held on Saturday, December 20th from 12 noon to 3 pm at the Carolina First Center. Thousands of people will receive a delicious meals and gifts for their children but most importantly, they will be receiving hope.

Remember this: whatever you're doing for the Lord will not go unnoticed. You just have to do it long enough to receive your just rewards. So, I say to you that are serving in God’s Army! Your best days are yet to come.

Go to HolidayHope.com for more details!