Always Room to Minister
Bro. Andrade got a pin from the Riverside County Sheriff’s department last week marking 15 years serving in our Jail Ministry, and Bro. Si got his 20-year pin (even though it has been 21!) These men, along with a couple others, have ministered the Gospel in jail every Thursday night, and have seen hundreds of men saved and brought back to the Lord through their efforts.
This past year a couple new men have begun the background checks to be a part of the ministry, but for a few years, the team has been down to about four men who take turns every other week. I praise God for the faithfulness of these few, but one of them asked me again last week, “Can we get more men?”
I pray that we can.
In addition, the Good News Clubs meets weekly in our public schools and declares the Gospel to those precious kids. They need volunteers.
In addition, the retirement home ministries meet weekly. Bro. Guy Snodgrass runs the services himself every week for one of the locations, and four other teams rotate once per month at the other location. They, too, could use additional servants to minister the Gospel to those who are sometimes the most forgotten.
Our Military Ministry volunteers tell me, “We need more men to preach the Gospel.” I am so impressed by the faithfulness of the handful of men who drive down to Camp Pendleton at least once per month (most of them more than that), but some of them are the same men in the retirement homes and jail ministries.
Meanwhile, our grounds needs constant attention, so volunteers come every week to prepare our lawns and buildings to host services. This is not direct Gospel-preaching ministry, but without it, the Gospel part would be overshadowed by the horrible presentation of our church facilities. That won’t do. So we always have areas to serve in maintenance and grounds, too.
All the while, we minister to one another in music, and encouragement, and prayers, and I think if someone passionate about their ministry, they’re going to be saying the same thing as all other ministries: “WE NEED MORE HELP!”
I agree, we do.
The nursery is a great place to serve. The tech teams are adding a great value not only to Sundays, but throughout the week. The new Mephibosheth compassion ministry to help those with special needs is now another area that passionate leaders will be asking, “Can we get more volunteers?” And rightfully so. I need the leaders to be the fire that others will want to warm up to.
But what’s the answer?
I don’t really know. The answer is NOT to have the few people who are already serving just take on more responsibilities. I believe the answer is in the Scriptures, where every body part sees himself as a functioning member of the body—visible or invisible, feeble or strong, out-front or behind-the-scenes—and ministers the Gospel with faithfulness.
Every ministry is important, and each ministry ought to be able to trace its purpose to the Gospel.
I touched only a few ministries around here, but I ask you now… What’s your ministry?
–Pastor Ryan