GET OVER YOURSELF

My husband Barry pastors Lakeside Community Church. Maine is 93% unchurched. Only 1% of the folks living in Maine attend an evangelical church. The International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention considers 97% unchurched to be an unreached people group. Does that give you an idea of the lostness here in Maine? I did not jump at the chance to move here. In fact, when Barry first mentioned the possibility of moving to Maine as church planters, I replied with a loud, "No! Are you serious?"(emphasis on serious) Shortly after that, missionaries from Indonesia spoke at our church in NC. I was amazed at what this family endured everyday in the Name of Jesus. Could I do that? Would I do that? That same night when God moved in my heart to accept the move here, he pierced upon my heart that it was not a third world country, it was Maine. I heard it as "GET OVER YOURSELF!" I replied in a very quiet, humble voice "Okay, God."
Where are you willing to go? It doesn't have to be another state. Look around. Is there a place in your neighborhood, your town that needs Jesus? A park that you and a few families could host a summer VBS, a back yard bible club, a sports camp? It's great to do this as an outreach for your church but does your congregation need a jump start? Do you need to be the 'idea' person casting a vision for how God wants to reach those around you? I encourage you to think outside of the box. So many times we get comfortable and don't do things things that take us to the lost or bring the lost to us. Does your church have the means to host a movie night? All you need is a large video screen. We have hosted several with free popcorn, candy and soda. This past weekend we did three showings of Fireproof and had 400 folks turn out. Barry started a sermon series on Fireproofing Your Marriage on Sunday and many returned as a result of us advertising this series at the movie. We have offered free oil changes to single moms, free car washes, community Easter egg hunts, trunk or treat, etc. God has used these events to bless folks and bring them to Him.
What can you do? Do you have ideas? Events that God has used in your community?