Dear NorthStar,
What a powerful Easter weekend we witnessed at church family in the Tennessee Theatre when just under 2,000 people gathered to exalt the Name above all names and celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. There was something uniquely powerful about everyone being gathered together in one large place. Several people gave their lives to Christ – that being the most powerful story of the weekend as the Beautiful Exchange took place in the hearts of lost men and women.
While the church gathered is powerful and Biblical for the Body of Christ, it is when the church is scattered that it becomes powerful for the community. When the church leaves the building it gathers in and scatters to do ministry in the community that Jesus loves, the message of the Gospel spreads and impacts people in powerful ways. If the goal is to be more like Jesus – and it is, then let’s meditate on what Jesus said in Mark 10:42-45:
“Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
The church is most powerful when the word “Christian” is a verb, not an adjective. We are most powerful when the people of our community learn what we believe by seeing what we DO, not hearing what we SAY.
Saturday, April 21st we are calling NorthStar Church to scatter! We are joining with several other churches in our city to serve our city – to make a difference by doing something, not just saying something. Will you join hands with us? If you haven’t registered to serve through Operation Inasmuch, would you visit www.NorthStarKnox.com today and select a project to be involved with. Serve with your family, your LifeGroup, or as an individual. Have questions? Send Debbie Stephens, our mission team leader, an e-mail at missions@NorthStarKnox.com today. Big areas of need are: Men to help change oil for single moms and widows, and participate in the kids’ activities at church. Women to help with a women’s retreat for Serenity House who ministers to women recovering from substance abuse.
No one can do everything, but EVERYONE CAN DO SOMETHING!
Let’s make a difference,
Brad Raby
Connections Pastor
bradraby.com 