Church Update

Last Thursday, a church in Aurora, Colorado, called down to a church disaster ministry in Louisiana, asking if they could send help to Colorado.  How does that work?  Jesus did it.  He arranged for the disaster ministry, called ReachGlobal, to personally contact several churches in the flood zone - including us at the River - to see what help they could offer.  For five years, the church in Aurora had been sending work teams down to help after Katrina, working with ReachGlobal, because they had been sent there by Jesus.  The next time they called, Jesus said, "Send them to Colorado."  ReachGlobal called The River.  The only way for us to receive a work team last weekend was to work with LifeBridge church.  Why?  Jesus had told them to devote the energies of His large church there to organizing relief work.  They had gotten so well organized that they were able to convince the City of Lyons it would be safe to send work teams.  (Once you see the condition that Lyons is in, you will understand why the City leaders are being so cautious...)   How did LifeBridge get so well organized?  They were trained by a team of experts from back east, a group that does this kind of training after disasters all over the country.  Why?  Let's see if you can guess.  Their name is "Operation Blessing."  Guess Who they take their marching orders from?  So a team from Aurora, got sent from Louisiana, to organize at LifeBridge, who were trained by Operation Blessing, to go with a representative from The River, to serve with compassion in Lyons - all because the Church has One Head.  His Name is Jesus!

"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Ephesians 4:4 - 4:6 NKJV)

As you listen to Jesus, here's what you can do.  Do you know someone (including yourself!) who really needs help?  Go to this link:  www.therivercolorado.org   and click on the Get Help button.  You will find a place to register their information.  Jesus will send help.  Are you willing to be sent?  Not everyone is able to shovel muck.  Some can make sandwiches.  Some can sit and listen in a compassionate way.  If you are willing to help, go to that same website and click on the volunteer button.  You will be called to serve when Jesus needs your gifts and abilities.

Serving Him with you,

Pastor Mickey