In the Midst of the Broken

  -   August 23, 2017

To live as followers of Jesus, we must not ignore the example Jesus set.

Jesus didn’t talk about religion in buildings. He didn’t spend his time in Torah studies discussing the merits of this teacher or that. Those things have their place…but more often than not during his years of ministry, Jesus was right in the middle of crowds of people.

He was in the midst of the broken, but he wasn’t telling them what they needed to do to get right with God. Instead, Jesus was lovingly addressing their needs first. Feeding the hungry. Healing the sick. Helping the poor. Holding the children. Loving the unlovable.

Changing lives.

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Acts 20:35 ESV

Although our world looks much different than Judea of old, we are the hands and feet of Jesus. Right here. Right now.

We are the ones who need to get close to the hurting. To help the poor. To hold the children. To love the unlovable. We are the ones Jesus is calling to shine his light in this broken and dark world.

When we put aside our comfort and reach out to show the love of Jesus to the uncomfortable, we are truly thinking Kingdom and living Jesus. There is no other way to do it. There is no way around it.

But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? First John 3:17

Does your heart break for the oppressed?

Do you break down when you see the homeless on the street?

This is the Spirit telling you where God wants you to get to work.

Bear one another’s burdens,

and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 ESV

Can you easily share some of your food or money or time with the poor?

Do you have a soft spot for children, the elderly, or the terminally ill?

This is where God wants you to serve.

Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.  Proverbs 28:27

Some believers have a Spiritual gift to do these things, so it comes easily and naturally—it is a passion. But passion or not, we all have the responsibility to do something to make things better for the broken and thereby point to the love of Jesus.

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.  Hebrews 13:16

The good news is, you don’t have to figure out how to get close to the broken on your own. The Church at Severn Run has many ministries and program partners in the Baltimore area where you can fulfill the calling Jesus has put in front of you.

Here are some ways you can get involved—Right Here! Right Now!

With Ministries Like:

The Transformation Center

Bringing about transformed lives and transformed communities leading to a transformed city. It is the hub for many of our ministry Impact Project including Lilies Place (clothing and food distribution), Celebrate Recovery, and Beautiful Feet (homelessness ministry). There will be many upcoming opportunities as well such as the building construction projects, the school they are starting called Hope Academy, and the GED/Jobs Programs.

The Well

Based in Curtis Bay, The Well is a community of women mentoring and learning identity, value and giftedness. Lives are transformed through long-term relationships and practical programs that offer community, give opportunity and promote responsibility to lead women to the purpose God has for them. They need volunteers to help the women of the ministry.

Morningside House of Friendship

The first Thursday of each month you’ll find a room full of youth mingling, talking and singing with the elderly guests of Morningside as they participate in Collide’s monthly missions program. Morningside House of Friendship is an assisting living facility in Hanover MD. that partners with Severn’s youth ministry, Collide.

The International Justice Mission

A global organization that protects the poor from violence in the developing world. Their global team includes more than 750 lawyers, investigators, social workers, community activists and other professionals who work at 17 field offices, one of which is close to our area.

Partnering with Local Organizations Such As:

Or with Churches Including:

Grace Redeemer Church

Building lives is a work of art. It is the work of the Master Artist – Jesus Christ.  Come see what God has been doing through Grace Redeemer Community Church and get involved in their great missions projects.

Elevate Church

Elevate Church is a diverse community of people. Located in the Eastport neighborhood of Annapolis, we desire to be a church that makes a difference in the lives of the community. Elevate Church exists to elevate the name of Jesus, equip believers for service, and to engage the community with service projects and the message of the transforming power of Jesus Christ. They are always looking for volunteers to help with missions projects.

The Broken Wall Project

A community of faith in West Baltimore seeking to integrate the values of authenticity, community, advocacy, and transformation as they follow Jesus believing that diversity ethnically, educationally, financially, and relationally makes everyone better. They hold services on Saturday evenings and need volunteers to help with many different projects.

Captivate Christian Church

Founded in Baltimore, Captivate Church is focused on bringing life by connecting people to God through Jesus. They provide a very real place of healing, grace and forgiveness. They need volunteers to help with projects in the Baltimore area.

Severn Run

Of course there are also many ways to serve at Severn Run as a volunteer in any of our ministries listed at severnrun.com/serve or specifically helping with some ministries reaching the broken and based on our campus like:

The Christian Assistance Program

A coalition of Severn-Odenton churches that provides food and clothing to needy families in the community. Donations are welcome every Sunday (you can find the monthly need focus in the church bulletin). Volunteers are always needed.

Kairos

The Kairos Prison Ministry shares the transforming love and forgiveness of Jesus to impact the hearts and lives of incarcerated men, women, and youth, as well as their families, to help them become loving and productive citizens of their communities. Volunteer opportunities include prayer partners, food support, and for those speaking to inmates in the prisons.

Companions of Hope

A support ministry for cancer patients and their caregivers. Volunteers are needed for helping with welcome baskets, card making and writing, providing transportation to appointments, making meals or phone calls, and prayer.

Blanket the City

Spend a Saturday morning giving blankets, prayer and encouragement to the homeless in the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area. This opportunity only happens once per year, but affects lives for much longer.

Winter Relief

Volunteer to help Severn Run host homeless men and women for a week at the church during the colder months of winter. This event takes many hands to make it work right. Volunteer to bring and serve food, or help during the day or nights wherever you are needed to help make our guests feel welcomed and loved.

Operation Christmas Child

In partnership with Samaritan’s Purse, Severn Run is a collection station for OCC Christmas boxes collected each fall. Fill a box, or volunteer to help collect, manage, pray for and deliver the boxes each Christmas season.

And more exciting opportunities to come like Samaritan Women and Hope House.

It all makes a difference. It all shows the love of Jesus to a broken world.

Where will you get involved? And when?

Here’s what to do next:

  • Pray to see where God is telling you to serve
  • Choose a place to volunteer
  • Contact the church office or Vicki DeLair (vicki.delair@severnrun.com) to get involved!
Here’s what not to do:

Don’t ignore this opportunity to share the love of Jesus as you were commanded.