We want to serve the world because that’s what Jesus did.
Mark 10:45, “I did not come to be served but to serve others and to give my life…”
The world doesn’t really care that churches have buildings, programs and budgets and become these insulated, irrelevant, self-righteous, little sub-cultures. The world’s problems can’t be addressed, much less healed by an inwardly focused, self-absorbed church.
But when we become an army of servants and a community of Christ-followers who simply do servant hood, we embody Jesus Christ and nothing can stop a church like that. We become people who tip better when they eat out, drive more patiently on roads and park with more grace and civility. We become people who know and care for others that live in our neighborhoods, help hungry people get fed and provide love and education for oppressed children. We help exploited people get justice, elderly people get befriended and folks in prison get visited, loved and treated with honor.
God dearly loves the world He made and all the people in it…all the people in it. Therefore, we will seek to bless Shelby County by unleashing the Spirit-generated servant hood and radical generosity of every single member of this church. We want this church to make a real difference in the world. That’s why we remodel homes in impoverished neighborhoods. That’s why we feed the needy in the poorest zip code in Memphis and partner with organizations like Agape’s Families in Touch and Ryan’s Hope. That’s why we throw birthday parties for kids with HIV/AIDS at the Hope House.