Shane Hochstetler
This summer the Laurel, Miss., Church hosted their annual Vacation Bible School (VBS) program. Like all church events, they were sure to advertise on the church’s sign out front. With much preparation and prayer, the day of the event arrived, and the church members waited anxiously for the guests to come.
Soon the greeter at the registration table welcomed a grandmother and her two grandchildren who were visiting from the community. When asked how she learned about their VBS, she replied, “I love the church’s rummage sales, so I always watch your sign so I know when to come. When I saw you guys had a Vacation Bible School program, I thought that the kids might enjoy that as well.” The guests thoroughly enjoyed their time at VBS, and said that they would be interested in coming to church there as well.
Maybe a church rummage sale does not seem like an evangelistic event, but because of it, this family regularly reads the sign for what is going on in the church, feels comfortable driving into the parking lot, and knows where to come for other functions. Thanks to the faithful efforts of a local church member to change the church sign, at least one family has a better relationship with their community-oriented Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The members don’t always think of changing the sign, coming early on Sabbath to unlock the doors, or staying late to clean up after potluck as the work of an evangelist. The truth, however, is that God can use whatever efforts local individuals exert to demonstrate His love for members of your local church and community alike. No task should be considered small or insignificant when performed in service to the great God of the universe.
Gulf States | September 2017
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