The Officer’s Blog
The latest blog from one of our officer team comes from Major Drew McCombe who’s obviously been throwing stones into ponds.
Major Drew
He writes as follows:
RIPPLES
I dare say all of us have at sometime or other dropped stones into water and then witnessed the ripple effect of ever expanding circle patterns on the water. We have just celebrated Easter 2007 and the ’stone rolled away’ giving witness to the resurrection has caused an amazing ripple effect in many people’s lives and still does so today. That’s the power of the gospel and we have been privileged to see that happening in more ways than one in our church in recent days. So here are just a couple of ‘stones’ and ‘ripples’ to ponder on.
Take for instance before last Christmas 2006 Rod and Theresa started to prayer walk the town centre hoping and praying to meet people on the street, spilling out form the bars and clubs and care for them. From that they had the opportunity to minister to homeless people. We were then given the use of a house in order to provide shelter and food for the homeless on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
The House
From this we have started a meal on Mondays for the homeless and now we are considering the possibility of a resettlement house with supported living to empower people to live independently in their own home…..the ripples expand and the full story is yet to be realised. You see the gospel is not just about our spiritual lives but the whole of life is transformed.
Rod & Theresa
The Alpha course in Chatham started some years ago and in 2005 a Salvation Army officer from the USA visits our church. She learns of the effects of the Alpha course and many people coming to faith as result. The enthusiasm rubs off on that officer, she takes the ideas and resources back to her own area in Oklahoma. She starts training Salvation Army churches there and one takes up the challenge, sees people coming to faith and soon others follow and now there are four more………. Again the full story is yet to be realised.
Steve & Mel - Alpha Leaders
So here’s a thought – what action can you start today that will have a positive effect on others for the future. Let’s drop some stones in the water and watch the ripples.
We’d love to hear of any similar stories. Use the comments box below.