This also a blog that I post on regularly if you want to check it out.

            A popular summer activity in our area is to hang out at the local swim club. Some very beautiful, yet simple ministry happens there. Children invite their friends to the upcoming VBS and sometimes share what they’ve learned with each other. Parents talk. In the midst of children playing and shouting for “Mommy” or “Daddy” for the hundredth time, lives are shared, stories are told and doors are opened. There are even times when a person opens up and an opportunity to offer the gift of prayer arises.  Mothers share with other parents what they’re learning in Christian Education and encourage others to join them. There’s also the exchanging of books such as “The Case for Christ” (by Lee Strobel) for the curious new friend.  So many opportunities!

            The workplace is another area of ministry. Time and time again we get prayer requests from our church member’s co-workers. Our church members have found ways to minister to their co-workers by sharing the power of prayer.

            Internet communities, like MySpace, have also provided links of communication where testimonies and stories of Christ’s hope are shared, friends reconnect and where simple invites are extended to come out to church.

            God has placed ways to love your neighbor all around you. You don’t need a program to minister to people, start where you are.

This ministry is a very simple one. We’re simply there to meet our neighbors and put a face on Ashland Church. We meet kids, teens, parents and even grandparents. Our neighbors are always grateful.  Many are surprised that we offer this free of charge and want to know why we do this – what an opportunity to share Christ’s love! Families are invited to different ministries; some join us for these ministries and for others it is simply and introduction to Ashland.

 We set out easy carnival games and crafts while providing hot soup (for the chilly parents as they follow their children around), hot dogs, and of course, lots of candy. The activity that really draws a crowd is the box maze. With large appliance boxes (donated from local companies) and lots of duct tape, some very talented individuals make a maze for the children to crawl through with flashlights and glow sticks in hand. This has earned quite a reputation among the children and as soon as October hits they start to talk about it.

This very simple outreach has been a great way to reach out and get to know our neighbors.

We were also able to minister to several local families with children during the Christmas season by buying gifts for their children. At the same time, an inner-city ministry used our church hall. Ashland families were blessed to be able to donate gifts to the children that came to their Christmas party from single parent households and a group home.

During Thanksgiving we distributed baskets filled with food to local families and ministries. We also have a partnership with a local church and donate to their food bank monthly. 

Although we are a small church, our church family has been able to share Christ’s love in a very tangible way.

from “Going Missional” an 18 month calendar guide to loving your neighbor From the National Outreach Committee of the EPC

Sorry the titles and parts of the pics got Cut off.

Titles are…”Poolside Chats, Workplace Prayers and MySpace,” “Costumes, Candy and New Friends,” and “Loving Local Families at Thanksgiving”

To see the rest of this post and learn about African Book Challenge click here.

Last night we heard from someone from the Girls Brigade in Singapore. They’re doing a tremendous amount of ministry in their local schools and the larger girls brigade has a mission to women and girls in the slums of Cambodia.

To end off our time we recapped our missionaries and then the children made prayer pillows (an idea we found in a service project book). We gave each child a pillow case and they used permanent markers and fabric paint to decorate one side with drawings or names of all the different missions we’ve heard from.

The idea is for the kids to put it on their pillow and be reminded to pray for these missions before they go to bed. This could also be used in your own family to remind them to pray for family members, neighbors, or even the things that they are thankful. I do recommend just painting one side so they can sleep on the side without painting, which may be softer.

I’ve been truly encouraged by both my own children and our kids at church, including the neighborhood and school friends who join us, as they fervently pray for the needs of the missionaries and those they serve. Once again I belive that you can never be too young for God to use you.

The Spirit was truly moving and God was at work in his people. I was moved to tears to see men and women of all ages (children, teens and young adults to retires) praying for each other and being prayed for.

Once again, I experienced what it means to be part of the family. To truly be part of a loving community of believers, caring for and supporting each other.

Please join us for a Healing Service at Ashland Church on Sunday May 18 at 7 pm. Babysitting provided.