Finding Calcutta

Mother Theresa is best known for serving the poor for many years in Calcutta. As other missionaries would come to see her work, they would often want to stay and work alongside her. Here was her response:

“Stay where you are. Find your own Calcutta. Find the sick, the suffering, and the lonely right there where you are — in your own homes and in your own families, in your workplaces and in your schools. You can find Calcutta all over the world, if you have the eyes to see. Everywhere, wherever you go, you find people who are unwanted, unloved, uncared for, just rejected by society — completely forgotten, completely left alone.” Mother Teresa (1910-1997); Founder Of The Missionaries Of Charity

Recently 15 people from Bellwood Church served in Hindman, Kentucky with a ministry called SWAP; "Sharing With Appalachian People". It is a home repair ministry that serves low-income families in several counties of southeastern Kentucky and West Virginia.We spent a week getting to know homeowners who have called that area home all of their lives. We did work for them such as repair roofing, flooring, and painting. It wasn't always easy or the best working conditions but it was great to serve and connect with the folks.

It was an amazing contrast - the beauty of the mountains surrounding the poverty of the people. I would do it again in a heartbeat because I have  found my Calcutta.

3 Signs That God is Moving in Your Church

There’s no way to manufacture a move of God. Yes, we follow God’s heart and the Spirit’s leading to plan, pray and prepare in faith that God will move though all we do, but only He can make the move.
At times, we may be tempted to “hype” things up to give the appearance that God is moving, (nothing wrong with passion and excitement) but how do we know it’s God? We see these 3 things:
1- Tears
When God moves in a church, there are outward signs of what is occurring in the hearts and lives of those we’re pouring into. And one of the most obvious, is tearful responses to the truth that is given in it’s many forms. Have the kleenex handy!
2- Talent
When God is moving, or about to move in a church, He breaks the ground with new spiritual talent. God understands His church needs leaders and workers to hold the Kingdom harvest that He is about to unleash.
So watch and listen closely for others God is “planting” among you, even if they sound or look different than what you wanted or expected.
3- Time
The fire and passion that accompanies a “God Vision” brings the sacrifice of time to the equation. Enthusiaism creates buy in to the point others are willing to serve and give of their time sacrificially because they see the manifestation of their labor not just the desired outcome.

This article is attributed to Artie Davis; Pastor at Cornerstone Community Church in Orangeburg, SC.