As I write this article, I can’t help but rejoice for all the things the Lord has done in His church during the last month. We are preparing for a tremendous year in missions and part of our preparation was our 2011 Missions Celebration on November 4. It was a fantastic evening of fellowship and celebration. God is so good and I can’t wait to see how He is going to use His people as we seek to be a missional people.
For 2012, we have organized our mission emphasis to help us be more conscious that our mission field is right where we work, go to school, shop, etc. I have met with and visited several ministries in our area that are incredible, God-centered, needed and viable faith-based mission opportunities. They are near by and doing ministry that we need to be involved in either personally, through our families, or through LifeApp or other Applewood Community groups.
- New Church Plants: we work with the church planters that we support as needs arise.
- Hope House Projects
- Riverside Crisis Pregnancy Center
- Open Door Ministries
- Denver Inner City Health Center
This is not an exhaustive list because even in your own LifeApp group you have people who are in need. Physical needs of people are all around us but remember the greatest need they have is Christ. God does not want just our abilities; He is seeking our availability.
Applewood is also involved in many different countries and continues to seek other areas of ministry around the world. In the summer of 2011 we had six teams in six different areas of the world: Belarus, Israel, Kenya, Haiti, San Diego, and Georgia. What incredible opportunities God gave us! Thank you to those who answered the call to go. In September we had an inspirational share service where we heard each of these groups tell of God’s goodness so we can see how God is working all over the world.
You can be involved in several different ways.
Prayer Warrior - We want to bath everything we do in prayer. We know that the Lord has given the opportunity but he expects us to give Him thanks, and to pray for protection, travel mercies, for hearts to be open to the gospel, and for our lives to be changed through the experience of seeing HIM at work. We need you!!
Giving - If you are physically unable to travel or feel that you cannot participate, you can give to those whom God has called out. We have a fund called the Luther Mann Fund that is set up to help people go on these trips. Giving to the fund is a great way to share the blessings that God has given you so that someone who is called to go will have the means to do so.
GO! - Quite simple! We need YOU to get a passport, PRAY, and then join us on a trip or get involved in one of the local ministries.
God is up to something great here at Applewood. Won’t you be a part?
If you have any questions about any of these mission projects or ministries please contact Brian Dickinson or Patty Sharp in the Worship and Missions office at 303-232-9575.
