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FHL Week

Faith, Hope and Love week
By Merlin Gonzales

A vision that started last year to reach out in our community and a prayer asking the Lord to send us workers became a reality on July 24th to 30th, 2005.

Seven churches became as what Steve Sjogren puts, “Go-and-do churches rather than come-and-see churches.” A combination of ten different cities and towns proclaimed Faith, Hope and Love Day on July 30, 2005. There were several radio stations, newspapers and an international TV station that got involved in a collective effort to report about FHL. We were swept away by the wave that the Lord created in our communities. To paraphrase what Rick Warren said, "We do not make the wave, the Lord make it and He choose when, how and where it will be. We are just so privilaged that He lets us ride His wave." Based on my personal experience, I am still riding His wave while watching wonders unfold before my eyes. I believe His wave is still roaring and active in our locality. I also believe that through His wave, we can accomplish more together and bless each other along the way.

On Sunday, July 24th, there were at least 120 volunteers who participated in the kick off prayer walk. It was about 105 degrees, but the cool thing was that different denominations and a very diverse group of people, from 1-1/2 years old to 72 years old came together to worship and to pray. The denomination walls among the churches crumbled like the walls of Jericho! Throughout the week the FHL group did 21 outreaches, such as cleaning windows of businesses, reading to elementary students, spending time with the elderly and adding a ramp to a house of a disabled woman. FHL provided several ways for volunteers to give back to the community!

How did this happen in such a short time of preparation? Another question that I asked myself just a few days ago was that why and how did the Pastors from different denominations worked in unity right away and they got really close to each other even though they did not even have any connections before? The FHL vision has been in their hearts...also the Mayors', businesses', etc. Here's a revelation to me during the early weeks of FHL planning... Ezra 1.

The favor rests upon the assignment. The Lord gave different assignments to different willing individuals and He made it happen! Bill Hybells wrote, “Jesus chose to advance His work primarily on the shoulders of ordinary people who live in the real world.” The volunteers teamed up with God on His Quest for Castleton/Nora areas. He gave the volunteers the Kingdom authority and the Spirit of God was present all over! The volunteers became Christ ministers to our community! And as they did their part, Jesus blessed the works of their hands; they accomplished much more with a lot less!

The purpose for this year was Faith Renewed, and boy did our faith renewed! Many volunteers were energized as they deepen their relationships with one another as they serve together day after day. Definitely, they received a lot more than they gave.
We did what a lot of people have been talking about for years… to unite the churches, government entities, educational institutions and other organizations to help those in needs in our neighborhoods in the name of Christ!

On Saturday, July 30th, was a real celebration of what has been accomplished all week long. We had 3 giant blow ups and 10 different carnival kids’ games, music and skits from different churches and lots of food.

Daniel Bernard wrote, “The goal of Christians is to affect the earth with as much of heaven as we can before we go there ourselves.” There’s only one bride of Christ and that is, “the big ‘C’ church.” The Lord provided us a way to mobilize the big “C” church in our area. It is our responsibility to invite others starting in our own neighborhood, to the entire state of Indiana and to the rest of the world. Next year’s purpose of FHL is Hope that Nurtures.

We’ll keep you posted as we move forward on FHL 2006! www.fhlcommunity.org
FHL will have the 2005 wrap up meeting at Vineyard Community Church on Thursday, August 18th at 10:30am. Please come if you can.

posted by fhlinternational @ 10:15 PM