GO2 Church Planting Ministries

The following is a post from Tuesday, January 24, 2012 by our Director of Integrated Ministries, Dru Dodson.

TWELVE BASKETS

I'm anticipating preaching in Haiti next Sunday. I almost always get asked to preach. You know, the white guy shows up so let's ask him to bring the message. I'd usually rather listen and participate and try to learn something from Christians in a different culture. But this time I've got a passage on my mind I can't shake - Jesus feeding the 5000. You know the story. There are 5 moves in the story that are speaking to me, I think will speak to Haitians, and I hope will speak to us here in the U.S. Here's the sermon "outline" I'll have in my head:

1. The first move in the story is that Jesus sees the crowd and has Compassion. In spite of the fact that He was trying to get away for some rest and they chased Him down. When we see a mob of sinners, especially folks who are interrupting our plans - is our first move Compassion?

2. When the disciples report that the crowd is hungry, He looks at them and says "You feed them." This seems to be the normal way needs get met. By us. Not by turning rocks into bread. Or by manna appearing like dew in the morning. Jesus disciples get the assignment - the Responsibility -  to feed the hungry.

3. Jesus doesn't focus on the need! They're hungry. But there's no calculation of "how much food would it take?" No listing of "how many people are here?" Instead He asks "What do you HAVE?" It's pitifully inadequate. 5 loaves and 2 fishes. But that's what's in their hands. How would it change our lives if we quit reciting needs and starting listing our Assets - no matter how small. And then . . .

4. He asks them to hand over what little they do have.  "Bring it to me." I mean, at least by stealing the little boy's lunch the 12 disciples could have a little supper to hold them over for the walk back to a village. And now, though having little, they're being asked to have nothing. By entrusting it all to Jesus' use - Submitting to His leadership and lordship. Feel the point coming?

5. He blesses it, gives it back to them (hooray!) and instructs them to give it away (uh-oh). Radical Generosity. Radical trust required.  And in their Generosity, the 5000 are fed. And twelve baskets are left over. Enough for a basket full for each one of them . . . Jesus economics.

Seems to me that Compassion, Responsibility, Asset-focus, Submission and Generosity might change me. Us. And Them. What do you think?

Posted by Dru at 3:59 PM

via www.kingdomroundtable.blogspot.com

Also visit http://www.haiticure.com/Home.html for more on Dru's work in Haiti.

We're writing about the Indianapolis area Circle of Grace today because there's going to be a little excitement there later this week. Super Bowl something or other.

This densely-populated Circle of Grace is expected to grow in the coming years, as the area's economy moves from being primarily manufacturing-based to education, finance, heath care and, yes, tourism.

Will you consider praying for the people of this Circle of Grace?  If not this Circle, perhaps one of the 1,765 available at www.GO2Ministries.com/pray?

Dru Dodson, GO2's Director of Intergrated Ministries, has forged an alliance with three reputable ministries to take Haiti to new levels.  He explains:

"I went to Haiti in August 2010. I've been back now about 6 times. The first impression is overwhelming despair. 'Let's just bulldoze the place and start over' is the feeling I got. But I've found two things that got under my skin and gave me hope for that hellhole. The first is Haitians who are tired of handouts, tired of being the poorest country on this side of the world, and who want to build a new nation. I've met a lot of Haitian followers of Jesus who have chosen to get involved and get proactive, whether anyone else helps or not.

Second, I've made alliances with three trustworthy ministries who are taking the long view, not the quick handout view. World Vision, Partners Worldwide, and The Antioch School. Together we've put together an initiative called Haiti Cure. It's a sponsorship idea for Haitian 'Children, their Parents, their Pastors.' The idea is to sponsor community development through World Vision for the Children, job creation through Partners Worldwide for their Parents, and accredited training through The Antioch School for their Pastors.

We could use your help in spreading the word! It has proven difficult to get churches involved with a 'cold call.' We are taking Haiti Cure straight to the public in my hometown of Hot Springs through local media advertising and social media. This video was created locally just for this effort. It's about 11 minutes long and covers the idea and all three partners.

But the main thing I'd like you to consider doing is help spread the word. Share this blog post with your friends and colleagues. Help me get it out there, help me raise some awareness. And if you've got some room in your budget, go there yourself and Sponsor one of the Children, their Parents, or their Pastors!

If you're interested in partnering with us on this, contact me at dru.dodson@go2ministries.net.

Thanks and God bless!"