Restore’s mission caught on film!
If you are interested in joining what God is doing through Restore Community Church, email ron@restorechurchonline.com.
Note: This video was filmed by Nate Hughes and put together by Jon Crowe of www.BlazingTrailsMedia.com
Filed under: CHURCH PLANTING | Tagged: church, church plant, community service, generosity, new church, service, Sterling, VA | 7 Comments »
Over a week of meals have been delivered, by over 70 volunteers, to over 100 under resourced families. Even more amazing, all of these families, but one, were home to receive their meals. The excitement of our delivery team members was amazing. Each came with a “whatever it takes” attitude, and in doing so, unleashed generosity into Sterling and the surrounding areas. To set up this service initiative, we contacted seven schools that went overboard to identify families with need and even helped us through some language barriers.
The stories coming in from our contact schools and our team members are amazing. Here’s what’s being said…
“I am the Parent Liaison at Meadowland Elementary School in Sterling. Soon after your delivering food for our families, I received phone calls of gratitude. I want to share how appreciative our families were to receive this great amount of food and I’m sure they told your team members as well! Thank you for offering this service!”
“Seeing and hearing how many people came to help with the community food initiative showed me the impact of what you are doing. If I want to plant a church, I need to follow the example of what you are doing. Thanks for being that role model!”
“Thanks again for allowing me to be a part of this act of generosity. I had a wonderful time. The first family I went to, the grandmother answered the door. She was very happy to see me. She told me she was watching all 4 children while the mother was working. I know she appreciated the donation very much. The kids even came up to the door and hugged me. The next family was quite similar. This time though the mother was home, and again, nothing but joy and appreciation. Even though it was difficult to communicate some of my sentiments because of the language barrier, they understood very clearly that I was from Enrich Nova and this was a demonstration of God’s love for them. Thanks again for letting me share in the joy of giving to those clearly in need.”
“Thank you so much for providing these meals to my family and me. I don’t know how I will be able to repay you.”
“Thanks so much for the opportunity to get involved. We had a wonderful experience and the family we delivered to was very sweet, several adorable young children who gave us tons of hugs when we left!! With Christmas being right around the corner, we’re ready for our next assignment. Please let us know if there is anything else on the schedule or any area where we might be able to help out. Thanks again!!”
“I have to say that the kids and I had a wonderful time. I know that sounds strange since we were going to needy families to deliver food, however, it was a great experience for myself and the kids. They were so positive and helpful to the families and the families were so warm and inviting. We would love to help out in the future if you need us. What you are doing in this area is exactly what we needed. And it is a great way to get the middle and high school kids out doing community service. Take care and thank you for your dedication!”
“I learned that even in Northern Virginia we have families struggling to make ends meet on a daily basis. I pray those we interacted with today find hope in experiencing giving with no strings attached in a world of full of greed. Thanks for this opportunity.”
Filed under: CHURCH PLANTING, community based organization, community service | Tagged: CHURCH PLANTING, community based organizaiton, community service | Leave a Comment »
One of the greatest intrinsic needs of people is to be needed. This is why Lana is more excited to serve with us than she is to receive from us. It is why when I asked a homeless man in our community what he needs, he told me, “My greatest need is to be needed.”
In John 10:10, Jesus states, “I have come to give you life and life to the full.” I believe a key component of life to the full is meeting the needs of others – regardless of what we do or do not have. In fact, Paul states that we are to keep our spiritual excitement serving God – Romans 12:11. This leads me to the conclusion that one of the best ways to disciple others is to lead them to serve others out of their spiritual gifts. Service is a dynamic classroom for spiritual growth.
Filed under: CHURCH PLANTING, community based organization, discipleship | Tagged: CHURCH PLANTING, community service, intrinsic needs, spiritual growth | 4 Comments »
We are excited to announce our partnership with the Great Falls Optimist Club to provide under-resourced families in Northern Virginia with over a weeks worth of meals during the Holiday Season. The Optimists have generously committed $2,500 to this service initiative, which gives us the ability to serve over 40 families. By purchasing the food through Angel Food, we are giving each family the long-term option to substantially minimize their monthly food budget while increasing the nutritional quality of the food they consume.
Based on the feedback we are receiving from our community needs assessment, we are considering the continuation of this initiative throughout the year in order to help families in our community lower their cost of living while improving their physical health.
Through this initiative we are empowering residents in Sterling to meet the needs of others in the community. As we we work along side these residents, while serving others, we are building relationships that give us the crediblity to share the love and message of Jesus.
To learn more about Angel Food watch this video.
Filed under: CHURCH PLANTING, community based organization | Tagged: community based organizaiton, community service, community service initiative | 1 Comment »
Carol’s sister had struggled for months to keep food on the table for her four children. When she could sustain her family no longer, she and her children moved in with Carol and her family. Recently, Carol’s sister decided she’d had enough and left.
Carol is now taking care of her own four children and her sister’s four children. Her sister refuses to send financial support and has been gone for five months. The children are sleeping doubled up on bed’s and on the floor. The financial strain on Carol’s family is overwhelming as she and her husband struggle to care for 8 children. They can’t afford all the diaper’s, food, or clothing that are needed for the children. Not to mention the emotional strain of caring for 8 children in a small home.
A committed member of New Life Church became aware of Carol’s need and called Spring (New Life’s community service ministry) for assistance in meeting Carol’s needs. Within a few hours, Spring sent out an email list of needed items for this family and asked our small group to make the delivery. Among many items needed were bunk beds.
I hate using Craig’s list. In fact, I do everything I can to avoid using it. However, at 10:30pm on Friday night, God prompted me to look for bunk bed’s on Craig’s list. So I did. Coolest deal. Just before logging on, free bunk beds were posted. The next morning, while picking up the bed’s, I shared Carol’s story and was immediately offered bed sheets and a dresser.
On Sunday, my father-in-law and I delivered and set up the bunk beds and dresser
. The children’s smiles as they climbed on the beds for the first time were priceless. Last night (Monday), our small group delivered clothing, diapers, food, and lamps. Spring is continuing to work with Carol to meet her families additional needs.
Carol’s friend from New Life has invited her to get involved at New Life, giving us the ability to meet her emotional, relational, and spiritual needs as we welcome her to become part of Jesus’ family.
This is another great taste of the vision God is leading us to as we start a Community Based Organization (CBO) and new church that restore people to God and others. Your prayer and financial support is making a difference meeting people’s needs and leading them toward relationship with Jesus Christ.
Filed under: CHURCH PLANTING, community based organization, God Stories | Tagged: CHURCH PLANTING, community based organization, community service, Spring, working poor | 2 Comments »
I’m grateful for the opportunity to attend a private dinner with Robert Egger - the founder and president of the DC Central Kitchen. What an amazing opportunity to personally learn from a top leader in the non-profit sector as I’m at the front end of starting a non-profit organization that births a new church that lives God’s irresistible love.
Robert’s opening line captured my attention. “Good non-profits are about freedom”. How True. Good non-profits provide more than charity, they provide freedom. They partner charity with training to set people free to live responsible. To live for the good of others. To contribute to the needs of others. To live lives of love.
This statement isn’t unique to Robert. The New Testament says that “it is for freedom that Jesus has set us free.” In the words of Jesus, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Jesus came to set humanity free. Free from sin. Free to experience the fullness of life. Free to love.
In the American context, many non-profits need to transition from simply meeting people’s needs to resourcing and equipping people to live free. Free from poverty. Free from hunger. Free from destructive choices. Freedom is the key to people experiencing the fullness of life.
Filed under: non-profit | Tagged: community service, DC Central Kitchen, freedom, life, non-profit, Rober Egger | 1 Comment »
ron@restorenova.com
