Living on Mission

Justice...why should it matter to me?

This Wednesday, WRCC will host another "Justice Session" bringing awareness to Orphans in need. You may ask, why would I attend something like that? Or maybe, why should it matter to me? I've had a few conversations about this very question recently. Many times it seems that if the issue at hand hasn't had an impact on the individual or their immediate family, then it's off the radar. It may not mean that you don't care about the issues of Orphans or the Unborn, but that these issues just haven't crossed your mind. I won't go into the Biblical direction we've been given to care for Orphans in need and to uphold the value of a life God created, but I would challenge each of us to look outside ourselves and our own situation. Do you ever wonder why you were born in a certain place? Why you were blessed to have loving parents? These questions have certainly commanded my attention over the last several weeks as we've journeyed down this "justice" road. I would challenge each of us to open up our hearts to these issues of social justice, to become more aware of the issues that other people are faced with everyday, and to explore the possibilities of how God might want to use your life to change another.

Cheering for a Different Reason

I was blessed this past Sunday to have a very unique experience that spans from my childhood to present day. Most of you know from my sulking or excitement that I've been a Notre Dame football fan I think since I was born. Please hold your comments until I finish (ha!). My Grandpa, Dad, and Uncle would go up to South Bend to look for a few tickets every year to catch a game. One of my first games was around 1983 in which I still have the program. On the cover of that program is one of the few 4 year starters for the Irish and the first ND quarterback I really ever came to know and cheer for. The memories of those moments with my family are fresh in my mind. Ok, flash forward to this past Sunday. That same QB who I cheered for as a 12yr. old boy, came forward to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior and follow Him in baptism! What a privilege it was for me to be a small part of those steps with him and his family. It's hard to explain what that was like for me, but I can tell you that as one of my old ND heroes was coming out of that baptistery I was cheering for a different reason. What a blessing it was to give back in a small way to a man who was a part of so many great childhood memories for me and witness him making a new start with Christ in Him. God is awesome! And even though things like football games aren't of earth shattering importance (well, maybe for a few...hint...hint) God meets us in those moments to bless us and show us that He is orchestrating life in ways we can't even imagine.

Christmas with Chris

This past week, Chris Taylor, went with the Outreach Team to the Noblesville Chamber's Christmas lunch. He was kind enough to allow us to photograph him next to the Christmas tree (well, maybe he didn't know the picture was actually coming, but he was right on cue with the smile!) Chris will be spending the next 2 months with us at WRCC as an intern in both Outreach and Jr. High ministries. He's served with us in both areas for a couple of years now and is really pursuing the passion God has laid on his heart to love and serve others in Jesus' Name. He has been a great friend and we are blessed to have him here with us during this time. If you get a chance, please send Chris an encouraging note at ctaylor@wrcc.org  Welcome Chris!

Showing God's Love in the Neighborhood

What you're about to read below has been written by one of our Neighborhood Team Leaders, Jeff Armstrong. I asked Jeff to share this story so that others could hear about the awesome things God has been doing in the neighborhood mission fields of our community. The beautiful thing about this particular story is how many lives God used to reach just one. If you are willing to go where God leads, He will do great things through your life too. Thanks for leading us out Jeff! Enjoy the story...

We first met Donna at the spring garden planting project in the Southwest Quadrant of Noblesville. That is where I first learned of her wheel chair ramp needs. Jessica and I talked with her for a bit during the Keep Noblesville beautiful flyer handout day. Somewhere between those two meetings, Brad and Malissa took her a few meals from the Lords Table ministry. Dennis, Mike and I then reinforced her ramp on the KNB Saturday event. After the ramp was reinforced the Crawford family painted it. Brad and I stopped over one day about a month ago to measure her patio so that his small group could make her porch more safe. Brad took some additional meals to her then. When we went inside to talk with Donna, she was obviously in great stress. She had just learned of her sisters' stroke in Elwood and had recently been sick herself. I offered to pray with her which she accepted, so Brad and I held her hands and prayed for her, her health and her sister. The Crawford's small group completed her porch project two weekends ago.

She was baptized this past Sunday. Praise to God for softening her heart and bringing her to Christ.