Newsletter

August 2011 Newsletter

Eleanor Lewis

For you were called to freedom brethren (or sistern!) only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. - Galatians 5:13

Are you serving in ministry? To the 'me generation' the words 'serving' and 'ministry' are not very popular. To serve we must take our eyes off ourselves and ministry sounds like we must be part of a big organization. But where would you be spiritually if someone hadn't served or ministered to you?

I received Jesus at a Billy Graham crusade for 'hell insurance'. We then moved to a new city and knew no one. One day I was pushing my baby stroller around our new neighborhood while a neighbor, Evie, was inside vacuuming and baking a cake because she was serving teenagers that evening by hosting a Bible study. The Lord impressed upon her to invite me in...but she argued with Him that she was way too busy... and kept on sweeping. Finally she obeyed His still small voice.

In our first conversation I told her I knew the Bible said I was forgiven and going to heaven, but that was all I knew. She immediately started a small neighborhood Bible study just for me! Evie, Al and their four children would invite us to dinner. There we saw what a real Christ-centered family looks like - and it was just what we wanted for our family. They were loving, fun, kind - they lived what they believed! Over a wonderful dinner she would tell us how she prayed for the meat to fit the budget and how the Lord provided this great roast on sale!!!

Sometimes we think we can't serve in ministry because it has to be a big thing, but Evie served and ministered to her neighborhood and to me. I am eternally grateful for she set my whole family on a path of knowing God and living out His Word.