Often we will join together to serve our community. We find places to get involved as a group in situations where our collective effort can make a difference and be an extension of the faith, hope and love that we share.
GIVE OURSELVES AWAY
God is aiming us outward – in investing the best we bring beyond ourselves to a world that desperately needs to see His love and life on display. The call is clear – to give ourselves away. To be challenged and changed by investing our best outward.
Take a look around. Look beyond yourself. What do you see?
poor and wounded people in our own counties in need of a simple meal…clothes…and even shelter.
new followers of Jesus in countries all around the world, with the desire to share the love they have found, but without partners in training and lacking support through resources.
a generation who is passionate to know, serve and follow Jesus, but are stuck-not knowing how to get started.
a world that has not experienced the loving revolution of the genuine Christ. God has prepared us to enter in to those needs.
God is inviting us to invest our lives and gifts beyond our interests – and into a Kingdom that’s advancing, into a world that’s in need.
God is calling us out… to give ourselves away.
The Need
We live in a “me-first” culture. We seek a comfortable life with a nice home, new cars, trendy clothes, a blackberry and the latest iPod.
The “me” culture has invaded the American church as well. But as followers of Jesus, we crave something more. We are called to something deeper. We are desperate for a transforming relationship with Jesus. A relationship that defeats our “me-first” attitudes. A relationship that opens our eyes to those in need and moves our heart to action on their behalf.
How do we reconcile this relationship and life that we yearn for, a life that we are called to, with the culture we live in?
The Vision
This life is not about us. God is calling us to live a life of sacrifice - one that is modeled after Jesus. We are called to love even our enemies, to care for those in need, to prefer others and embrace selflessness at all costs. The call of Christ is to give ourselves away – we are blessed to be a blessing – in ways that will challenge and change us.
What does it look like to give yourself away?
To give generously. Give the best of what you have.
To give humbly. Ask for nothing in return and allowing God to take the spotlight.
To give radically. Be counter-cultural. Give beyond what’s comfortable.
Give
By the world’s standards, each of us lives a privileged lifestyle…rich compared to most. We have the unique opportunity to give generously out of what we have been given.
first fruits: Included in our operating budget is First Fruits: the first portion of what we receive. THE RIVER CHURCH will give 15% of our annual operating budget to outside organizations or individuals in need, including para-church organizations, churches, local and global outreach organizations and missionaries, students with scholarship needs, and people who need financial assistance.
GO
REACH out today.
Your mission could be right in front of you. Here are just a few ways that you can go on mission with THE RIVER CHURCH today:
bring meals to a single mom
become a foster parent
hang out with kids and families living in motels
visit and encourage head trauma patients
send letters and care packages to soldiers overseas
volunteer in disaster zones around the world
teach your trade to young teens
help organize neighborhood activities
teach English to kids and adults
bake cookies to encourage families with sick children
pray for those who lead our churches and our nation
The Outcome
What if…
alcohol treatment centers and drug rehabs were run by Christians
churches were birthed in countries around the world
families stepped out to adopt other families in crisis
churches were working together to radically affect homelessness right here in our own county
tradesmen offered their services free of charge to people in need
Christians were known throughout our community as men and women who kept their vows
dozens of churches were inspired to give away their first fruits
marriages were saved and restored by counseling and bible-based seminars freely offered to our county
prepared teams were launched to the frontlines of any disaster
orphanages were funded, built and staffed to change the future of a generation
the doors of believers were open day or night for those outside the church to come for prayer and encouragement
crime and gang activity in our cities were declining because of the active love of believers
parents and children served together on mission across the globe
thousands of people, adults, kids, families, college students, were living out radical selflessness
individuals were be drawn to their Christian neighbor in times of hurt or need
families clearly understood and were united in their passion to serve
crime and gang activity in our cities were declining because of the active love of believers
What if we simply loved people the way Jesus asks us to?
This is just a taste of where God is leading THE RIVER CHURCH. We have some ideas. We have some plans in place. But it really starts with you. Your unique personality. Your creativity. Your passion. Your decision.
How will you give yourself away?