Evangelism and Social Action - Meeting the Needs of the People

Evangelism and Social Action are two separate ministries of the church. Both are vital to our answering the “Great Commission” You cannot eliminate one for they “complete” the calling of the Body of Christ. For example, Matthew 3:1 tells of John the Baptist, “In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent because the kingdom of heaven has come near!” (HCSB) Evangelism comes from the Greek word, “euangelion” meaning to announce the good news. At Pentecost after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit Peter stood and preached the good news. In Acts 2:38, Peter gives what we today might call “an invitation” when he said, “Repent and be baptized, each of you in the name of Jesus Christ.” (HCSB)

            Jesus did not send the disciples out just to proclaim the gospel, they were to heal the sick and care for the people. Jesus was concerned about the spiritual and physical well-being of believers and unbelievers. “Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.” (Matthew 15:32 NIV)  Social Action puts Christians in the midst of non-believers. If we are share Christ with a family who has not food, would not God command us to care of their physical needs first?

            When social action is missing the evangelism is hindered and the message of Christ is compromised. “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36 NIV) The Body of Christ is called to minister to the people through Evangelism and Social Action. Both are a vital part of that ministry. One cannot be effective without the other and we must allow the Holy Spirit to direct us in their application. 

A Call To Missions

The “Great Commission” was not the Great Suggestion.  As believers we are all called to be a missionary. The last words that Jesus said to the 11 disciples are recorded in the Book of Matthew, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:18-19 HCSB)

The “Calling” for Paul Jones, Pastor of Court Drive Church of Christ has be a lifelong commitment. Paul was born in South Africa and was led to Christ in 1974 by a missionary from the United States. After serving 5 years in the South African. Air Force God called him into missions. Attending Bible College in South African in what he calls his “Missional” calling. From South Africa his missional calling for Christ took him to Russia, Saipan and the Ukraine. In 1999 he felt his calling leading him to the United States. He moved to White Hall, Arkansas. During his time there God expanded the local churches outreach in the local community and to Zimbabwe and Guyana. Paul witnessed as God richly blessed the church membership and those who heard the Good News.

In 2002 his missional journey took him to Lafayette, Louisiana to the Riverside Church. The local work was so rewarding and grew at such an outrageous pace both in the United States and foreign mission field that the church made two trips to India, two to Russia, three to Mexico and four trips to Zimbabwe. The work in Zimbabwe was so welcomed that their focus remained there.

In 2006, God led him to Palestine where as pastor of Court Drive Church of Christ. Form this base congregation a medical clinic has been built in Plumtree, Zimbabwe, 17 new congregations have been established. Paul says that “The missional call that burns deep within me is the motivation and drive that empowers me to fulfill the Great Commission.  Paul quotes a past instructor, Les Massey, who said, “Paul, being a disciple is only part of God’s plan. Making disciples that make disciples that is Gods calling. In Paul’s 30 years of ministry he has lived out those words. He has led 5 missionary trips and 18 evangelical/medical mission trips with local doctors and nurses back to South Africa. These mission trips are non-denominational in nature. Anyone wishing to serve Christ on the South African mission field is encourage to contact the church office. 903-729-0196

Paul lives each day with the calling that God gave him many years ago. Each one of us are called to be missionaries. It might not be within our ability to attend a mission trip to foreign soil but we can live out the Great Commission here in Palestine. Act 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, (Palestine) in all Judea (Anderson County) and Samaria (Texas), and to the ends of the earth (Prayers).” (emphasis added)These words tell us to reach outside the walls of our church and think “lateral”. To “Go” not to “Come and See” that is our commission. So the next time you see your co-worker, friends, cashiers or the stranger on the street, ask them a simple question, “Do you have a church home?” The Holy Spirit will take over from there. Trust me.

Powerless Without God

My entire life I have thought of myself as a problem solver. I thought I was good at solving other people's problems but always drew a blank when it came to my own. It wasn't until I realized that I was powerless. I had no great wisdom or strength. As far as other people's problems I may or may not have given them the correct advise. It wasn't until I was faced with the fact that everything that I am, any strength that I do have comes from God. Chapter 2 Corinthians 4:7 tells me and any believer that we "Are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves (NLT)

Yes, God can work through you but only when you get out of the way. Often we think that God only chooses people with extraordinary gifts or talents to be His representatives. That is a lie we tell ourselves. God takes humble people like you and I and if we turn ourselves over to Him and His service, He will work glorious things in our lives.

The more we give of ourselves, the more the Word shines out to others from us.

If you are like me those thoughts come into her head like, I am not worthy, I can't do it, I don't have enough knowledge for the Father's service. Remember those thoughts are not from our Father. I once thought that God could not use me because of my past. I think that I gave Paul a run for his money when it came to "who was the worst sinner." But God assured me that my "adequacy" is from Him. (2 Corinthians 3:5) I had to give up to self, empty myself and let the Spirit move within me. That when I felt the strength.

So friend place your faith in Him and praise and rejoice as He does a wonderful work for His Glory within you and through you. Just turn in your rags and He will give you riches. As we read the story of Jeremiah's calling, "the Lord came to me, I chose you before I formed you in the womb, I set you apart, before you were born I appointed you a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:4-5 HCSB) Remember how Jeremiah responded, in the same manner as we do sometimes, "Oh no, not me! I can't do this....I am not a good speaker or teacher. I am too old. (that was always my favorite line) But God called Jeremiah anyway and said, "Do not be afraid, I will be with you." So go out today my friend with the confidence that God will give you the strength and whatever else you need to do His work. Our strength does not come from ourselves it comes form Him.

1 Chronicles 29:12 (HCSB)

  ^"Riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler of everything. Power and might are in Your hand, and it is in Your hand to make great and to give strength to all."