Haiti Reflections

On my most recent mission trip to Haiti, our team jumped aboard the “tap tap” last Tuesday morning anticipating what God had in store for us to learn that day.  What was God going to teach us?  How were our hearts going to be opened?  How would we learn more about who God is through his own people?

 

That day we delivered water to a tent city where there is no clean drinking water or electricity, and there is sewage running through the streets.  Yet as we arrived in Cite Soleil the children mobbed us with large grins and joyful spirits.  Under the extreme poverty conditions the team was taken aback seeing the joy in their eyes, their large smiles and gigantic never-ending hugs.  Watching the line of water buckets continually growing, partnering with desperation, some team members witnessed excitement and gratefulness as the Haitians received their portion of clean water for their families. As we witnessed them walking with their water buckets to their homes and seeing the conditions, the reality of poverty and lack of comfort they have compared to what we have back in the states was striking and made us ask, “What is God trying to teach me?”  When God breaks our hearts for what breaks His, we can move into action.  Mark 12:31 reminds us, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no other commandment greater than these.”  We do not have to go to Haiti to serve others or to be moved into action.  We can love and serve our neighbors in our own community and backyard. 

 

You are invited to serve with our church family on faith in ACT!ON Day, Sunday, March 22 when we have the opportunity to put our faith into action! Perhaps you will bring a pet to visit residents at a care center, or help assemble Kids Kits for Camp Noah, a summer camp for children whose neighborhoods have experienced trauma. Maybe you will serve breakfast at a homeless shelter, or perhaps you will build shelves or organize supplies for ReBuilding Together.  Out of town that day?  Consider donating supplies for one of the assembly projects as your way of serving.

Let’s move into action together, and spread the good news of Jesus! Sign up here for faith in ACT!ON Day by Monday, March 16.  Please sign up for the potluck also.

Written by: Hannah Koehler

Leadership

Look around the Resurrection community and you will see the results of various leaders’ efforts. Each team, each worship celebration, each confirmation class, each retreat or camp or high school thing or service project is the result of someone, or better yet, a team of someones, leading the way. Numerous youth and children’s ministry leaders at Resurrection have been to Youth Leadership workshops, where they repeat often, “Nothing happens without a leader.” Ministry and serving opportunities are truly limitless, but as a congregation, we can only pursue and develop the ones with someone, staff or volunteer, willing to serve as a leader. 

Smiling leaders at Resurrection

That may mean being a coordinator, a team member, or a champion for a new idea. Leading can take the form of shepherding a small group of 2^nd graders on a Sunday morning, organizing the Resurrection family for Faith in ACT!ON Day, inviting members to serve as lobby hosts, helping Resurrection focus on mission as a member of the Mission Leadership Team, or giving your passions and energies to developing outreach ministry here.  An example of the impact of a leadership void is the Resurrection garage sale.  With too few willing leaders and participants taking over from past coordinators, that event will not be held in 2015. While there are many reasons to let go of some programs, the presence or absence of leaders can be a primary reason. Styles of leadership vary; perhaps you are being called to move into the role of shepherd, pacesetter, guide, organizer, or mentor. As Jesus modeled, being a servant leader is a high and holy calling.

On Thursday evening, January 22, ministry leaders gather for Resurrection’s first leader summit of 2015. The leader summit is a gathering of leaders, and potential leaders, to offer a time for fellowship with peers, a chance to equip all who work with volunteers, an opportunity to share ideas or concerns, and a venue for communication among leaders and Mission Leadership Team members. It is good and helpful to come together as we enter a new calendar year and to support one another as we strive to live out Resurrection’s mission to call all people to a vibrant life of faith in Christ.

As we prepare to gather leaders, it is important to remember that in any church, the need for new leaders is always present. New ideas, your unique gifts, various insights and experiences all add much to the life and ministry of Resurrection. Whether you are serving in a leadership role or would like to get involved at some point in the future, you are invited to the January 22 leader summit.  While there are many ministries in which to get involved, one key leader need is the role of Outreach Coordinator. If you have a heart for missions, for needs in our local community and beyond, please talk to church staff or Terri Dokken, who served faithfully in this role for many years. As we trust, live and serve we know there are opportunities being missed, or potential untapped, without someone currently directing this vital aspect of our call as Christians.

The leader summit is also an opportunity to pause and remember the one who leads us all . . . he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. from Psalm 23  Join us.

RSVP appreciated. 

Written by:  Sarah Storvick