video forthcoming

MOTIVATE

In summertime, many people like to enjoy ice cream from their favorite shops. Whether you like Storm Bros Annapolis, Cold Stone in Edgewater, or Brusters in SP, Livvy’s in Frostburg, all of them are wonderful shops. One of the invitations of an ice cream shop is the free samples of various flavors. Shops will give you a free sample to stimulate your taste buds and motivate your purchase.

Likewise, gathering in church is the sample to awaken individuals to experiencing the abundant life and divine purpose of life. As followers of Jesus, we live out the joy of salvation. Our aim is to share the goodness of the gospel everywhere we go.

In the book of Acts, we see Christians traveling to various cities to share the gospel. We spent 5 weeks studying 2 Thessalonians. We read in Acts the result of the gospel taking root in Thessalonica was new Christians “turning the world upside down” (Ac 17:6).

Christians turning the world upside down meant remarkable impact on most every domain of society.[1]

• Children: Plight of infants and children in ancient world was horrendous until Jesus’ dignifying humanity through childhood and welcoming/teaching/caring for children during in His ministry. His followers did the same through prof-life ministries, adoption, orphan & foster care, and being good stewards with volunteers and finances for children’s ministry; and providing safe environments and protecting against those who wish to do them harm.
  
• Women & Widows: Previously valued as property or lower-class citizens, Jesus dignified women with His presence and including them in ministry roles. Further, the NT has detailed descriptions and prescriptions for how the church is to care for widows and elderly, primarily female.
• Ethnic disparities: From Jesus, Christians sought to welcome all peoples from every tribe and tongue and nation. The church is not color-blind but a colorful multi-ethnic mosaic on earth as it is in heaven.
  
• Education: Christians are a people of the book, and thus the value for knowledge, language translation, publishing, education, and literacy. We don’t promote the banning of books, for we know the Bible has stood the test of academic scholarship and adversarial scrutiny. In fact, many of our nation’s founding universities started with a Christian background, and overall, the church promotes education for young and old. of men and women, around the world.
  
• Economics: In brief, the Bible teaches the principles of private property rights, and the boundaries of government institutions. Further, the Bible teaches that work is necessary and sacred for the glory of God. Jesus modeled this working an honest job and simple life as a construction worker.
  
• Science: People of faith always believed our world was created with order and design with scientific exploration and discovery possible.
  
• Medicine & Physical health:  Pre-Christian Rome, public medical care was only for soldiers and gladiators. Sadly, laborers and the poor had no medical options. This was transformed by Jesus, who was called “the Great Physician.” The Bible says that physical fitness has value in this world, and our human bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, for which we are to steward well.

It is these seven domains and others that we seek to bless and become God’s salt and light. At this time, we want to share testimonies of God’s activity among members of our church family.

Testimony from YOUTH / CUBA / SPBC…

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[1] Cf. various sources…