A gift, given in an act of worship born out of a love for Jesus.
On Thursday, May 6th, Mark walked on stage and made the first appeal to our church to give generously to our ministry partners at Central India Christian Mission (CICM).
Why did he make this appeal?
In India early this spring, COVID-19 begin infecting 400,000 plus and claiming the lives of some 25,000 people a day. “Hellacious” is really the only word to describe the situation. In the seventh-largest country in the world, a small CICM hospital continued its faithful work in doing what they’ve been called to do – treating people and letting God heal them.
With little “cities on hills” all over Southeast Asia, CICM began to heal the bodies and proclaim the Gospel to the souls of people who came to them for help when they had nowhere else to go as COVID-19 ravaged their country. To do this faithful work they asked for our help.
Jesus, the greatest giver of love, was teaching his disciples and the teachers of the law when he said…
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Matthew 25:34-40
On Tuesday, June 1st I was informed of the total number of dollars the people of Christ’s Church gave to support our ministry partners at CICM.
That number was $107,000.
A gift, given to God’s people in Central India from God’s people in Southwest Missouri. A gift, given to purchase medical supplies and provide opportunities to proclaim the good news of Jesus. A gift, given to help people in desperate need. A gift, given in an act of worship born out of a love for Jesus.
This gift is generous because you have been generous. May God bless you because of your generosity.
If you would like to learn more about the work Central India Christian Mission is doing you can visit their website at www.indiamission.org/.
