If your church or ministry closed down today, would anyone in your community who is not a member of your group mourn or celebrate about it?
“This question almost pierced my heart and I continued to reflect even after our training session”, said the Reverend Mar Jassan R. Oro, District Superintendent of the Eastern National Capital District (ENCD) of the Wesleyan Church of the Philippines, Inc.
Together with 17 pastors and leaders from different churches of ENCD, Rev. Mar actively participated in the Church and Community Mobilization (CCM) Learning Session that was facilitated by Lingap Pangkabataan, Incorporated (LPI).
“I praised the Lord for the opportunity to be part of the said training, I was blessed, and as a Pastor and District leader, God impressed a lot of lessons and reflections in my heart”, he said.
Here are Rev. Mar’s takeaways from the two-day learning session:
Firstly, I am not alone in the battle or journey. There are some organizations and churches that can identify with our concerns in the Church and Community. It is both an encouragement and motivation to continue to be used by God in transforming our society and helping people in need.
Secondly, the Church and the District has still something to do in the community. God allowed the Church to exist in the community where she belongs for a purpose. We still have a lot of things to do especially in becoming an instrument of God in the transformation of the people and community. The Church just need to look for ministry opportunities to minister to the people especially to women and children who are victims of violence.
Thirdly, the Church and Community has its resources. The Church must allocate budget for reaching the community. Moreover, our Barangay have resources that we can use as well. We should tap our Barangay through the government officials in possible partnership in ministering to the victims of abuse and violence within the community.
What struck me most is the statement from the lesson “A Church of Irresistible Influence” where we reflected in the life and ministry of Dorcas from Acts 9:36-39, 41-42. Yes, by all means, the Church must make a lasting impact in the community. A church or ministry that realizes it is blessed to be a blessing would become an irresistible influence.
Lastly, praises and honor to God for allowing us to undergo the first part of the training. I thank God for using our facilitators to encourage and motivate us to minister to the community as a Church. We are committed to working with the communities so that our church will remain relevant.
I pray that the Lord will continue to prepare our District to become an irresistible influence through our continuous training and be used by Him in mobilizing the Church and Community, for the greater glory and honor of His Name.