How did the movement of Jesus get so MESSED UP! If you read the ministry of Jesus and how he dealt with people and then read about the early church in Acts 2...what the heck happened? My heart was stirred as I went into the ghetto of Albany yesterday. I’m embarrassed that I didn’t even know that this is in our backyard. It’s ridiculous and we are called to change it!
Now that we know, WE WILL.
Close to a 1,000 kids a day are fed free lunches in 9 different parks. If they weren’t, many would go hungry. Children of abuse, children of crack addicts – walk to these locations by themselves for the the one stable thing in their lives …a free lunch.
QUESTION: Why do churches throw money at foreign missions when people in their own back yard are crying for help! I’m all for missionaries…I have family that are, across seas…but c’mon, can anyone see the irony? Jesus said, start first in your neighborhood, then move to the next town and then the next, and then to the uttermost parts of the world. Acts 1:8
QUESTION: If Jesus were to walk the earth today and head to the USA…would he even recognize the church? The people in the ghetto aren’t messed up …WE ARE MESSED UP! I AM MESSED UP! ….THE CHURCH IS MESSED UP!
I don’t know but I feel like this fall is all about BEGINNING AGAIN. I’m sick of church for insiders…Jesus’ movement was for outsiders. I’m going off on this this weekend! It’s time to BEGIN AGAIN.
Buddy
I agree with you 100%. There are so many people in our own back – yards that need help – escpecially the children!
For several months I too have been wondering what jesus must think of us – how people treat one-another, how we treat our planet, of all the sin around us and how we let people in our own backyards, city & country go hungry and live homeless. It stands out even more this time of year with all of the wealth in the area.
Maybe it is because I have more time to think lately or maybe God has been speaking to me as well. At any rate, I look forward to fall and helping Northway any way I am able to!!
I LOVE world missions. My family lived on two different missions fields while I was growing up — once in Bangladesh and then in Germany, and I’m passionate about spreading God’s word to the ends of the earth. But that said, I couldn’t agree more with you on this post. We are ON a missions field right here in New York. We are surrounded by people in need of God’s love, and I am PUMPED to see where this goes!!
Lead on Pastor Buddy! We’re right behind ya!
I’m on board with moving outside and serving the families and children wherever and however we can!
When Vince and I read this yesterday, we couldn’t have agreed more heartily. The poor, the sick and the suffering are here – waiting for the love and compassion that God offers through us, His servants.
It’s a good thing Peter and the other disciples wanted to “begin again”! After Peter denied the Lord and the others all fled from Him during His arrest in order to save their lives, they had a choice of giving up, going back to their old ways, or beginning again. They made the right choice! The Book of Acts is the testimony of God using those who decided to begin again. We’re excited about this and looking forward to what’s next!
I think people are made more aware of what the needs are outside of our country than what the needs are locally. Bringing into the church spokes people for local organizations that help the homeless or places like food banks, healthcare for needy children, etc. would be a great start. Starting a missions team in the church for local and global needs would be another great place to start. People have the heart for it and the calling for it, but it is sometimes difficult to find the place to start. I love missions, I had the opportunity a month ago to speak with a couple from World Relief. Another great organization. I didn’t even know about them, now I can’t wait to see if I can get involved. Anyway, yes, the body of Christ is supposed to minister and meet the needs of those around us, whether it’s in our own backyard or around the globe. I guess the question is, How does the local church equip the body of Christ to do so? I’m excited to see what God has planned for Northway church in this area, count me in!
Chris – I think it’s a little bit of both! You’ve got more time, and God is definitely speaking to you. I can’t wait to talk more this weekend about what we’re going to do in our own back yard.
Jon – Let’s take this mission field of the Northeast together!
Dick – Thank you for how you serve each and every week behind the scenes. I knew you’d be on board!
Pam and Vince – let’s begin again and be the Church!
Jennifer – The local church is the place to start, and we’re starting this weekend!
Pastor Buddy, As you can see, your troops are lining up, Chris and Pam and Jennifer and Dick, John, Jim, Tammy, and so many others. It’s building, the ranks are filling up. Northway is on the move. Press us, require us, push us as Jesus did in his day. But as in any army the support troops are very important. There are some that can’t get out and pound the pavement, as it were. But they can stay behind the lines and pray and support those that are in the field. There are many other ways that they can be a part of this but they must be organize too. There is no excuse, there is something for everyone to do. As the song says, ” Onward Christian Soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before” What a thrill it is to serve the Lord. Get excited people, hold the banner high. Let’s do our part, let’s feed them, let’s clothe them let’s comfort them. Let’s show them the Love of Jesus within us. He will bare witness, He will save them. He has no hands but our hands, no feet but our feet. Let’s not miss out. If we don’t do it, God will raise up others to do it, and we WILL miss out. Jump on the train, people, or get off the tracks. This Northway train is about to leave the station. Praise His Holy Name.—LAV —
Pastor Buddy when you speak you are the Mohammad Ali fighting Sunny Liston !
I would like to say that you can find any inner city problem and help fix it. I belong to a center for women and children in Schenectady and everyday after class they all make sure there out the door to get to those free lunches in the park or up the roads. I think we need to do more then just help out with passing out lunches. Start with the centers i see every week these women and children and all they want is HUG/a meaning of purpose.The same thing i wanted in life . People in the suburbs are so afraid to walk up to someone that doesn’t look there ” way ” .. we have to stop there and open your hearts. I’ve met the most amazing wonderful women and children through this; that a girl like me from Niskayuna makes it a point to have god remind me just why i want to walk with him.
I will be more then happy to help with any info/sources I can get to make this happen.. not for the just the holidays not just because we are trying to look good but for something we can commit to everyday for the rest of our lives to make a this NORTHWAY revolution real.
Anna – Love it! Live it! Float like a butterfly…sting like a bee! Thanks for being the Church!
I love the direction Northway is taking. Helping the less fortunate is the very thing every Church should aspire to do.
Have you considered offering books as well? I bet some inner-city kids don’t even own a single book. How could they ever expect to study God’s word if they aren’t even capable of reading? Maybe Northway should consider doing a book drive for them. I’m sure my son would donate a bunch of his books to the cause. And, after seeing last weekend’s service I have no doubt that Northway’s student ministry would step-up big time!!
Brian- Love your idea! We’re going to start out very strategically with feeding the children. In the mean time, I would encourage you to go for it with the book drive!
Check this verse out.
Matt 10:40-42 (MSG)
“We are intimately linked in this harvest work. This is a large work I’ve called you into, but don’t be overwhelmed by it. It’s best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. You won’t lose out on a thing.”
Pastor B, I was so emotional I always see the Feed The Children on TV and I always think we have Children right in our backyard that needs our help. Our family prays hard on this issue, and it is a great concern so I was emotionally touched when you addressed it and happy. I feel Northway Church has the HEART, in 1 Thess 3:12-13 being the HEART of the Church, We are people who are bound to each other and to JESUS who try to walk and be like him, and we want to live like him, and be obedient, I know he wants us to look after our brothers and sisters, And our children. The old saying “IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD” well then Northway we must feed our children then, if that is what it takes emotionally, and physically, and spiritually. They are starving for food and the love of Jesus. Who knows how it will affect them one day. Northway Church is such a loving fellowship of people and I know we can rally and do this, we are on board, definitely to do what we need to do to help. I am sure we can think of something creative to come up with to get bibles to be distributed along with food, and I know the kids will enjoy getting fed the word of GOD along with getting their bellies full. Thank you Pastor B, for always being on check, right place at the right time, Peace and Love Stefi Croff
I guess this kinda answers my email from last week. Let me know how I may help. Thanks