How to Build Community
For a long time, we had had a poster up on our fridge about “how to build community” which gives suggestions about how to do that. Some of those suggestions are interesting and a bit quirky, like “dance in the street”, or “read a story aloud” outside or “help a lost dog”. Even for us as community workers, I think we’d struggle with some of them! The last suggestion is more thought provoking, “Know that no one is silent, though many are not heard…. work to change this!”.
We are learning to change things within community, though this can be a somewhat slow process. We understand that we may never see the results, but feel we are being faithful in our mission to plant seeds and that God will water them.
What we do see is a difference when we greet people in the street and smile at them, offer to help with the little things like moving a bin, or even chasing a delivery van down for someone who got given a wrong parcel. While doing litter picks in the area we are often greeted with a thank you shouted out from a car window as it drives past, or even someone’s life story given on the corner of the street as happened to Lorraine recently. These opportunities give us the chance to pray for those individuals.
One of the planters Chris has made
Lorraine singing ‘so high you can’t get over it’ from the song 'Jesus love is very wonderful, at the care home.
Evangelism isn’t a one-size-fits all. People receive the gospel in many different ways and in different contexts. With our ministry in local community, we try to do that, BE in different situations and share where we can. Chris is now working with a local community gardening project, where he is turning old pallets into wonderful new planters. Great chance for him to share “life & faith” together with the other guys working there and being seen in the community.
Lorraine has taken up a new challenge to do a short “Thought for the day” church service in a local care home once a fortnight. Being able to pray for the residents when asked to, is a great blessing. The Word of God is being shared with those who may never get the opportunity to hear it!!
Please pray for us as we serve in the local community but also for Chris as he does chaplaincy in Prison and leads a team at Cadbury 6th Form College. Many opportunities to reach individuals showing love, care and compassion together with the words of The Gospel.
Lorraine & Chris Milton
Operation Mobilisation | Birmingham
