GOING WHEREVER GOD OPENS DOORS

Rome, Georgia is like most mid-sized towns in the Bible Belt with a church on nearly every corner. But many people may never enter the doors of a church. Since they are staying away, they are not hearing the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ. Broken lives are everywhere. Drug abuse and alcoholism are rampant.

If people aren’t coming, why not go to them? So we started the Community Church Ministry where we take the church into neighborhoods. Several years ago, I dreamed I was in a large house, and many people were there. The house had several different rooms. In the dream, I went from room to room to minister to the people. I had the dream at least two times, so I believe it was of God.

So in 2011, I purchased a 1969 trailer, not knowing if we could make it work. But with a lot of prayer and many volunteers, we got it working, and started having meetings at a local mobile home park that included a message, dinner and music. That year also included an Easter egg hunt, a fall festival and a Christmas play.

Soon, the ministry grew to include 10 neighborhoods. The concept is simple. We go to where people live, feed them, love them, and share God’s love. Many of the people reached by this ministry may never enter the doors of a church. I have seen God work in this.

A few years ago at one trailer park, we met in a small room next to the laundromat. I walked through the neighborhood looking for people to invite to dinner. I met Jason who was walking near his house. I invited him, and he said he needed to ask his dad. After getting permission, we walked together to the meeting place. Jason told me he had never been to church before. That night, Jason raised his hand, and accepted Christ as his Savior.

This year, I hope to have Thanksgiving dinners in four neighborhoods and Christmas programs in 10. We will go wherever God opens the door.