Working together

The past few weeks have been hectic, and I've not taken the time to update this blog regularly. I do apologize for that. I also ask for your prayers as my schedule is only going to get even busier in the next few weeks.

Last night I attended an associational Lenten service that really demonstrated the benefits of small churches working together. Nearly all of the churches in this association are small, rural bivocational churches. Every Sunday night during the Lenten season they will pack out one of their churches for a joint service. They travel to different churches for each service and a different association pastor will bring the message.

During last night's service a testimony about Big Stuf was given. This is a large youth gathering that takes place in Florida each year. The first year any of these churches participated one church sent 17 youth to the event. Last year the association sent over 150 people. 40 of their youth were baptized as a result of this event. Many others rededicated their lives to Christ, and some accepted a call to ministry. In addition, the youth heard about the problems of inadequate drinking water in Kenya. The next day the youth collected $3,400.00 from themselves to pay for the cost of digging a well in Kenya so a village would have access to clean water. Since returning home they have raised enough money to pay for a second well.

This association is involved in ministry throughout their communities. They have taken some work trips to an area of Appalachia to minister to some of the needs there. I was priviliged to join them in one of those trips. None of these churches could accomplish any of this by themselves, but working together they have done exciting ministry.

You may serve a small church and believe there is little of significance you can accomplish. That is not true, especially if you join forces with other churches. Working together multiplies your gifts and resources allowing you to accomplish much more than you may think possible. I encourage you to begin praying with other church leaders about ministries God may have your churches do together. You might be surprised what doors He might open up!