Ripple Effects
What happens when a gospel witness lives in & serves a community? There is often a ripple effect.
Recently a GCMI missionary was approached by someone in the neighborhood. She said she had a bunch of new youth clothes to give away that came from overstock in her company. He connected her to another GCMI missionary who then involved the community she is discipling in distributing to those in need.
But it didn't stop there. One of the other guys in the neighborhood saw what happened, so he was  inspired to gather clothes, baby formula, and whatever else others might share to distribute to families who need them.
Here's the thing. None of the people who are helping are Christians (yet), but they are inspired by the relationship with a missionary serving their community. Their lives have been impacted through that friendship and through regularly hearing stories about Jesus. One of the things that happens when the gospel enters a community, is it makes an impact -- both believers and unbelievers. Ministry breaks out where you least expect it. There is a ripple effect. The Kingdom of God leaves its mark, and people are better for it. |
I see articles & reports at least every month discussing the shifting religious landscape. There are any number of responses to the changing cultural & spiritual climate around us. Fear of losing what's familiar. Frustration or insecurity. Even opportunity to gain from others' losses. However, the one thing that the church of North America truly needs is to find her missionary footing. It may feel challenging at times, but in GCMI we hope we can play some small role in helping with that very thing. 
