Bringing HOPE to the People
by Larry Leming
Missions Ministries Director

Bringing HOPE to the people is the theme of our fourth annual association family mission trip to Lynch, KY. A group of people of all ages, from a variety of SRBA churches, will come together to minister to the people of Southeastern KY from March 26 – March 30, 2008. For some it will be a return trip with the anticipation of building upon existing relationships. For others it will be a new experience with the unique anticipation of not really knowing what to expect. But, for all who go, it will be a time of experiencing God as never before.
As always, there are a variety of ministry opportunities to be involved with. These include construction projects in Lynch and across the mountain at Calvary Campus, working with the Reynolds family. There will also be children’s and family ministries as we will be conducting two backyard bible clubs in multihousing locations. Community ministries will also be available through volunteering at the Freedom Center (clothing distribution) and Manna House (food pantry). There will also be opportunities for nursing home visits, one-on-one evangelism and of course lots of prayer walking. In addition to these, this year we will have the opportunity to host a family movie night and will be showing Facing the Giants and we will also be holding a community wide block party on Saturday. And then there are always those opportunities that God brings along that we never even thought about. So, no matter what your passion for ministry and serving others, this trip is for you.
As stated earlier, our theme is “Bringing HOPE to the people”. Our main emphasis for this trip is the hope that we find in Jesus Christ and earning the right to share that with others. HOPE, as we are using it, is two fold. For those of us going on the trip the H stands for honoring God and the O stands for being Obedient to His leading for this trip. If we do those two things, then the other two letters will affect the people we are there to serve. The P stands for God’s purpose for their lives and the E stands for Eternity which is the main reason for the trip….transforming lives through HOPE is Jesus.
So, if we go and accomplish our purpose for this trip, then what a wonderful and everlasting thought. However, if we return from our trip and do not bring our theme home with us, then what a sad and devastating thought. Yes, we are called to bring HOPE to the people of Southeastern KY, but we are also called to bring HOPE to those who God has placed us around…our family, friends, neighbors, etc. God indeed has a purpose for us serving in KY, but let us determine in our spirits that we will not let the HOPE stay there, but rather share it wherever He leads us!!! If we do that, then what a successful trip it will be. God bless!!!