Well, I have been waiting a long time to write this blog about the church plant that Casey and I are going to be involved with, "Overflow". We are so excited about what God is doing here with this community of believers that are coming together to follow the Lords plans for the St.Joe/Benton Harbor area. BIG PLANS. Part of the heart and vision for this region is to have a community of believers that are united as one in heart to see this region changed by God's love and grace. To see a diversity coming together for a mission and purpose larger than themselves, to purpose our hearts towards the things of God and to see His glory change a community that used to be affectionately known as the "twin cities" before the racial divide happened many years ago. For people in this region Benton Harbor is like the "Samaria" of the day and I am reminded of the scriptures in Luke 9:56-59 were the disciples, James and John wanted to call down fire from heaven to consume the city and Jesus rebuked them. But then later in the book of acts the 8th chapter John was sent by the apostles to go and see that the Samaritans had accepted the word of God too!!
So here was a town that was rejected by most religious people of its day and kind of the unforgotten city somewhat like the town of Benton Harbor, MI. And this is the exact place God has called this church into existence and has began to bring people together to be united with his purpose of ministering to the hurting, the poor and the oppressed. Benton Harbor is the poorest city in all of MI and has a illiteracy rating in the lowest bracket possible!!!
God's heart breaks and is breaking for this town and so is ours!!! God help us. Lots more to come....
2 comments:
My prayer is that God would raise up 1,000 more men and women like you, with a heart for the poor, rejected, hurting lost souls. I speak favor over you; that the name "Overflow" would be prophetic! You will see an overflow of souls added to the Kingdom of God; it will be exceedingly, abundantly, above that which you ask of think.
Favor, favor, favor!!!
Love to all!
I remember when you first blogged about Overflow. I checked out their website and said to myself, Wow! if I lived in MI that is where I would want to worship and serve. I suppose if our family lived in MI, we would find ourselves at the same church again.
God often calls people with a missionary heart to plant churches. May you, Casey and Livi be a blessing at Overflow.
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