Thank You and Praise God
By Cara Taylor, Director of Outreach
June is a time for celebrating! The sun returns, students reach milestones, and Chapel Hill looks back on a year of serving others. While the world presses on us to make these marks of our own performance and worth, the good news of Jesus makes them moments of gratitude and joy. We can see God’s grace in our challenges and triumphs within his wider promises of hope for the world.
Take a minute with me to be inspired and to give God credit for some of the ways our church family has had the privilege of joining his mission this year.
We Are All “Sent Leaders”
Chapel Hill takes Jesus’ valedictory address seriously. His last words on earth were spoken over those who had said “yes” to following him when he first swept into their lives. Thanks to Chapel Hill support for my own seminary journey, I crossed the Gordon-Conwell stage for a diploma a couple weeks ago. Thank you all, and praise God! But the fact is that we are all “sent leaders.” It is not just for a few special ones with degrees.
Jesus commissioned all of us to reach all kinds of people, wherever life takes us, with his word of life and his way of life.
His status, his presence, and his power make this possible (Matthew 28:18-20).
We care about people the world overlooks. Our dreams for ourselves include dreams for them.
This is what church is for. We gather to refuel in worship and scatter in service. Outreach Serve Teams like the Global 6k for Water and the Compassion Kit Build are led by volunteers who gather others to put the love that we receive from God into action for others.
Team “Liquid Assets” helps World Vision provide clean water so children can go to school healthy instead of hauling buckets an average of 6k/day from contaminated ponds. Fifty local elementary kids learned about the need for clean water and how every child is part of God’s global masterpiece. On May 16 at Sehmel Park and five other sites, 135 team members walked 6k and raised more than $40,000 to bring sustainable clean water to 805 people. Thank you and praise God!
Coming up on Sunday, June 7, we can all join the Compassion Kit Build after worship in the Neel Chapel. This team provides deodorant and toothpaste and loving handmade cards for people on our own city streets to know that they are made in God’s image and can access help at the Tacoma Rescue Mission to turn their lives around. Place your order on the Amazon Wishlist now so we have all the needed hygiene items. Last time we made 250 kits and many people came to worship or to serve for the first time. Thank you and praise God!
We Need to Know People
How do we reach all kinds of people like Jesus said? By being all kinds of people. This is why the Bible constantly celebrates diversity in the people of God. It’s why a top Chapel Hill value for sending leaders is recognizing the specific people we are each uniquely qualified to reach.
We need to know people and to notice the people God has placed around us. This year MomCo and Moms in Prayer leaders gathered mothers to connect and grow. Cornerstones leaders gathered seniors in friendship. Night to Shine teams gathered the special needs community to party. Kitsap House gathered young adults to find their way. Thank you and praise God!
People Need to Know
How do we share the word of life like Jesus said? By making it a priority to meet people where they are, especially those who don’t have familiarity with the Bible. Fellowship of Christian Athletes leaders and intern Adrienne Anderson equipped high school students to share their faith. A gift to renovate the basement of Hope Church Tacoma hosted arts and after school programs for under-resourced kids in their own neighborhood.
People need to know Jesus. And I have a strong hunch that many of you are quietly living your own contagious faith with your friends, family, and coworkers because this weekend we are expecting 14 baptisms and 10 new people joining our church! Thank you and praise God!
People Need People
Finally, how do we share Jesus’ way of life like he said? By doing life together. LifeGroup leaders welcomed new people. The Benevolence Deacons and Lay Counselors listened with compassion to those struggling. The Anchor Gathering encouraged women of all ages.
People need people. Prison Ministry teams went outside their comfort zones to build trust. Comfort Quilters sewed together so the sick and grieving would feel loved. The World Relief team welcomed and worshipped with immigrants in the detention center. Empty Bowls and FISH Food Bank teams brought our whole community together to make sure no one goes hungry.
And 383 children in Tanzania have American families who love them through our World Vision partnership! Thank you and praise God!
Jesus commissioned all of us to reach all kinds of people, wherever life takes us, with his word of life and his way of life.
None of us can do all these things, and none of us can do them on our own. But we can get to know people, and share the Jesus we know, and live for him together. His status, his presence, and his power make this possible. Thank you and praise God!
Cara