Because we are made in God's image, we all have intrinsic
value and have something of importance to offer. Our socio-economic
status does not matter in God’s economy. What matters is our heart
and how we live life with one another in a fallen, broken world. As
we have served the materially poor, we have learned that there is no gift that a
man can bring, apart from the Word and love of God, that will ever change or
transform the heart and mind of another person. We have learned
that we are all poor and so we pray to God and pledge to “live a life unto
others”where we can learn and grow with each other, beginning at home and moving
out into our neighborhoods, our communities, our workplace, and into the
world.
In serving our neighbors in the South Bay and Los Angeles,
we have learned that something of value is not the gift that we bring to the
person but it is the time that we spend with them. We have learned
that by being present and available, even if it gets messy - and it will - that
we eventually are invited to join in the journey that God is already doing in
their life. We just need to show up where God is already at work
and be ready to offer the greatest gift of all, the love and truth of Christ,
offered through us. We follow Jesus' example. Jesus said that he came to serve not to be served and we take him as our model and guide. (Matthew 20:28) We desire to be a church where everyone is serving as God intended and designed them to serve. (Matthew 28:18-20)
We also believe that every believer has been given interests, talents and spiritual gifts to use to glorify God and build up the church. (Ephesians 4:11-12)
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