Jesus is my friend!

Every Saturday our church takes a team to the Hollywood area of Memphis to clean up yards, pick up trash, and connect with and love on the people there. As you step out of your car in this area, you can just feel the need for Christ's love.
Last Saturday, our team went out to be God's hands and feet, doing something as simple as cleaning up an overgrown empty lot. It was difficult to see cars coming due to the brush that hung over the road. We cut down trees and bushes, providing a clear view. Further into the lot sits a large, beautiful tree supporting 2 tire swings. Unfortunately, below the tire swings, broken beer bottles littered the ground. I swept up the broken glass while a 7 year old boy named Quantrel played on the swings.
"Can you push me really high?" he asked me.
"Sure," I said.
As I pushed him, I asked him questions about school, his family and friends. He told me his brother and sister are mean to him but his mom and dad are nice. It was encouraging to hear his mom and dad are together. As he continued though, I learned more about how tough his life is.
He told me a story about a time he got caught in the line of fire and got shot in the back and how his cousin is always drinking around him. This really broke my heart. After talking and playing on the swings for a while, I asked, "Do you go to church?"
"Yeah, I just go to church when there's a funeral. My uncle got shot so I went to his funeral. My mom and dad won't take me to church. I know about God and Jesus though. Jesus is cool."
"That's great. Do you know what Jesus did for you?"
"For me? No."
"You told me earlier about how much your mom and dad love you. Well God loves his son Jesus very much too. But He was willing sacrifice his only son, let him die, for us.
"God killed Jesus?! Why'd he do that? Oh I know how he died. Someone stabbed in the back with a knife!"
"Actually, Jesus died on a cross. That's how they executed people back then. Jesus died for all the bad things we've done, but the story doesn't end there. Jesus rose from the dead so now we can go to heaven!"
"Jesus is alive?! Can you see him? Is Martin Luther King alive too?"
"No Martin Luther King isn't alive but I'm sure he's in heaven. Jesus is right here with us even if you can't see him. And you know what? He wants to be your friend. When you choose to be his friend, you receive His free gift of forgiveness and eternity, forever, in heaven! We call this salvation. It's as easy as admitting you've done bad things because we all do, saying you believe He died and rose from the dead, and choosing to follow Him. Do you want to say that prayer with me and make Jesus your friend?"
"Yeah! Is this how you pray?" He kneels down, eyes closed, with prayer hands.
"You can but you don't have to pray like that. You can pray anytime, anywhere."
"How about like this, like Martin Luther King." Puts one knee up, hands on his elbows and forehead resting on his forearms.
"Sure now just repeat after me...Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me. I admit that I've done wrong things. I believe you died on the cross for my sins and rose again so I can have life. I choose to make you my friend today and live for you the rest of my life. Amen. Awesome, great job!"
After encouraging him to tell his family all about what he did today, read his Bible which he said he has at home, pray, and ask his parents to take him to church, he left saying, "Jesus is cool. He's my friend!"

A Healthy Baby Begins With You

On April 19th we partnered with March of Dimes in an event called A Healthy Baby Begins with You at the Southland Mall. The purpose was to provide information and health screenings for young women before they become pregnant or in the first trimester. We, The Life Church of Memphis provided the health screenings. We were able to complete blood glucose, blood pressure, and BMI screenings for 23 people. Dr. Michelle Walsh was also available to answer questions. She had some great interactions, educating people about diabetes and also talking to some young women about nutrients their body needs in early pregnancy. The following is a great report from Dr.Michelle:

I enjoyed working in the medical servolution! We had a great team to interact with and worked together well. One patient had high blood pressure and was trying to learn new ways to cook with less salt on a limited budget. It was fun to brainstorm with her practical ways to make meals using cheap ingredients. I viewed this outreach as a "prayer walk." We were interacting with people for short periods of time and had only several minutes to show the Jesus' love. However that is plenty of time to smile and say a quiet prayer for them.

I had a great time serving with our team and so encouraged by their positive, servant attitudes. Here's a link to the story Commercial Appeal did about the event: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/apr/20/never-too-early/

Our next Big Serve Day will be June 21st at Hollywood Community Center. We will once again provide food and games for kids along with health screenings and education. We want to continue reaching out primarily to young pregnant women and babies. Please pray for creativity, provision of resources, and many people to be helped at this event. Thank you!

Servolution at Raleigh Springs Mall

On February 23rd, our medical team continued Servolution with a health fair at Raleigh Springs Mall. Each time we get together to meet the medical and spiritual needs of the people in these hurting communities, I'm amazed at how God provides and blesses not only the people served but also the team serving.
We were all entertained by the Jukin dancers as we screened and educated participants. We only had 2 hours, however, we were able to complete blood pressure and blood sugar screenings for 15 people. These participants were also able to ask Dr.Womback medical questions and pray with our prayer partners. Dr.Womback was awesome. She started coming to our church a couple weeks before this event. She jumped right in and did whatever we needed her to do! In fact, the whole team served with willing, loving hearts and great attitudes. Alisa Minner said, "I never thought of using my career as service. It was a such a blessing to serve!"
The people we served were so appreciative. One woman had a borderline high blood glucose. We were able to educate her on nutrition and lifestyle changes to reduce her risk of developing diabetes and link her to resources for follow up care. She said, "I'm so thankful you all are here. You all are such a blessing."
It gets even better. The next day, eight first time guests came to our church from the Raleigh Springs area, most likely as a result of our outreach!
We are blessed to be a blessing and it feels so good to make a difference in someone's life. I want to invite YOU to join us in serving our community. Here's how you can be a part:
1. Donate supplies for our outreaches such as over the counter medicine, blood glucose meters and strips, blood pressure cuffs, blood cholesterol machine and strips, gloves and alcohol pads, education material for dental health, diabetes, heart disease, prenatal and infant care, nutritional supplements, baby thermometers, outlet covers, diapers, new baby clothes and blankets.
2. Participate in our outreaches as a medical professional. We need doctors, nurses, social workers, diabetes specialists, dietitians, and really any other medical professional with a heart to serve a community in need.
3. If you do not have medical experience, you can still serve! We also need prayer partners and people to register, direct, and encourage participants and help with setup.
4. Pray for the communities we serve, that many would come and open their hearts to all God
has for them and that God provides financial provision, supplies, and people ready and willing to be His hands and feet.
Our next day of Medical Servolution is April 19th at Southland mall, which is in another zip code devastated by infant mortality. We are partnering with March of Dimes, which is on the forefront of the infant mortality issue in Memphis. We will be screening and educating women before they become pregnant. The event is called: A Healthy Baby Begins With You. Improving the health of women before pregnancy drastically improves birth outcomes. So if you want to be a part of this initiative, please contact me at syamnitz@thelifechurch.com. Thank you!