Acts 1:8 reads: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

The Apostles started in Jerusalem, where they were, before going to the ends of the earth. We too have the opportunity to start where we are and play a part in local missions right here in Greenville.

As we approach Go Greenville, we have the privilege and honor to portray the love of Christ to our community. Whether it is serving our ministry partners, sharing with lost people who do not have a relationship with Christ, or strengthening other Recommission Network churches, the opportunities are many. Will you consider playing your part in Go Greenville?

Serve

In Luke 10:27, Jesus says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

Love your neighbors. Jesus then goes on to tell the Parable of the Good Samaritan and how the Samaritan showed compassion to his neighbor. Though neighbor in this context applies to everyone, there is an implication that there is nearness. In the following verses, the Good Samaritan was geographically close to the man in need. What did the Samaritan do? Serve the man in need by showing him compassion. The people close to us might live a lifestyle that we do not agree with. They may have done things in the past that they regret. But we have been given an opportunity to love them and serve them.

Serving others also helps break down barriers. Many people may be hesitant to listen to what we believe, but they are often willing to receive genuine acts of kindness. When we meet practical needs, whether that is helping with yard work, organizing a thrift store, or simply spending time with someone, we reflect the love of Christ.

Serving is not about being noticed or praised. It is about putting others before ourselves and showing them the love that Christ has shown us. Go Greenville gives us an opportunity to step outside of our routines and intentionally care for the people around us. Even small acts of service can make a lasting impact.

Share

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 reads, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Paul says if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. What does this entail? We have become ambassadors for God. As followers of Christ, this is part of our identity. We represent God to the world. God has given us the message of reconciliation. We have been given the gospel to proclaim to those around us.

Sharing the gospel does not always mean having all the answers. Often, it begins with simple conversations. We can ask people how they are doing, listen to their stories, and look for opportunities to share the good news.

Go Greenville can create natural opportunities for these conversations. We may have opportunities to pray for others, share our testimony of what God has done in our own lives, and share the gospel of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. We may not see immediate results, but God uses faithful conversations to draw people to Himself.

Strengthen

Galatians 6:9-10 reads, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Paul says that we should not grow weary of doing good. As we have been given opportunities to come alongside other churches, specifically Recommission Network churches that we partner with, we can do good to those of the household of faith.

Go Greenville gives us an opportunity not only to reach those outside the church, but also to encourage those who are faithfully serving within it. We can strengthen other churches by helping with projects in and outside the church.

Whether it is cleaning windows, painting church property, or trimming bushes, partnering with other churches helps show that we are on the same mission together. Rather than competing with one another, we can strengthen one another for the sake of the gospel.