Last weekend, at the home of Max Lucado, I was served a to-die-for dessert called “gooey-butter pie.” Each piece was worth five miles on the treadmill. I’m sure there must be some connection here to Luke 12:48—and I paraphrase—to whom many calories are given, much exercise is required.
Rich Stearns and Max Lucado in Ethiopia in 2009.
Seriously, the actual verse in Luke applies not just to individuals, but also to churches. Max Lucado’s church, Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, is truly blessed. Its congregation is more than 8,000 members strong and has many vibrant ministries and small groups. These folks could easily bask in the glow of having bestselling author Max and the dynamic Randy Frazee at the pulpit and just keep to themselves.
But they don’t. Oak Hills goes out to help “reap the harvest” through missions programs in Brazil, Burkina Faso, Haiti, Nicaragua, and the local community. With Max and Randy’s leadership, they’re exploring how to be a church of change like the early Christians in the book of Acts. And Oak Hills and World Vision share a desire to help children in poor communities, so while I was there, we did some dreaming about what we can do together.
I’ll never forget what Pastor Morgan Chilulu in Zambia told me: “A church within its four walls is no church at all.” Oak Hills is bursting out of its walls—no gooey-butter pie necessary.
How have you or your church been “given much”? What does that compel you to do for your neighbor in need? I believe the church can literally change the world—do you?
Another great resource is the latest work by Dr. Detherage, “In Pursuit… The Search for Absolute Truth & Peace.” This is a MUST read for every Christian struggling through this life! https://www.createspace.com/3602060
I just finished your book. God is so wonderful and you are to be commended for following His call. Because of your book I will work on ways I can make a difference. I sponsor a child but my goal this next year is to raise enough money to dig a well for some community. God only knows where we will go from there. God bless you and your family for all they do.
Thank you so much for taking the time to put your story into print. My son left today, for a mission trip within our borders, on a Navaho Res. He is 15 and we care deeply about him catching a vision to serve for the cause of Christ. God Bless You
It would take me pages and pages to tell the entire journey, but suffice it to say that due to reading The Hole in Our Gospel about this time last year, our very small church(less than 100 on average, including children) has funded the digging of 5 wells in Burkina Faso. We have also sponsored 30 children there and my 18-year-old daughter is now enrolled at Moody Bible Institute with a strong desire for full time mission work rather than pursuing a career with animals. AND, the 2 of us are headed to Burkina Faso the end of this month! We plan to bring our experience to other small churches in western Oregon in hopes that they will share your/our passion to improve the lives of those living in extreme poverty. God has truly been working in awesome ways in our family and our church – I am so thankful for your book opening our eyes to the need and giving us the insentive to “do something.” Thanks, Rich!
Yes! I absolutely believe individuals can change the world, and a church is just an opportunity for those world-changing individuals to work together. My church has started with our own community, and we have resources stretching across the globe.
There was an article published this Sunday on the front page of the Los Angeles Times about what our church is doing to “Do Something” in our community and around the world: http://bit.ly/9jMR0I
We can absolutely change our world, and we MUST!
Carrie
I just finished reading your book. It has ministered deeply to my heart and I am thankful to God for using it to show us all what church should look like. Blessings to you.