Being an externally focused church means reaching out to those in the community in order to develop relationships, to find ways to serve, to show God’s love and to ultimately change the community. In an effort to be externally focused and to live out their vision of living God’s love in the heart of our city, members of North Phoenix Baptist Church (NPBC) staff have been reaching out to a local elementary school and middle school. Last year they approached school administrators and asked the question, “How can we help you?” The result was a week of service called, “What if Week,” where church members served in these local schools. Over the past year, church members participated in three campus clean ups along with ongoing weekly book pals programs and tutoring sessions. NPBC members have made it clear that they are committed to being a part of the success of these local schools. One school’s plant manager let the staff know that he didn’t know how the school had gotten by in the past without their service. On a more personal level, this plant manager knows that a group of people at NPBC care about him and are praying for him. He was moved nearly to tears when a staff member personally delivered a Thank You card.
Showing God’s love externally involves transformation within the body of Christ. At Christmas time, NPBC encourages members to celebrate the coming of Jesus by giving the gift of “presence.” Giving Presence means “living God’s love in the heart of our city by serving our neighbors.” Members can reach out and serve where ever they see a need or they can choose from projects posted on the NPBC website. They can even submit projects online so others can join in. One group of people, a Bible study class of seniors who are in their 80’s, collects an offering throughout each year. A middle-aged couple ended up attending their class one day and felt led to become a part of their group. God eventually used this couple to bring renewal and change to the group. The younger woman volunteers with a local elementary school. She asked if the class could adopt a needy family from the school and use the offering to buy them Christmas presents. The adults agreed and told her she could go spend the money on gifts. They initially had no desire to be further involved. The woman began talking to the ladies in the class and convinced them to accompany her to buy the gifts. The women had so much fun picking out presents for the family that over the last few years, the class has bought uniforms for the entire 2nd grade class, the women hand stitched book bags for the 2nd graders in the fall and this past year both the women and their spouses not only shopped for Christmas presents but personally delivered them to the class. When members of this Bible class came to understand just who they were impacting and what a difference their ACTIONS made (not just their money), it brought true joy and transformation into their hearts and lives. They have grown to truly love serving their young neighbors.
Transformed lives within the body of Christ can create new opportunities for the church to connect with and serve the community. The principal of a nearby high school had attended NPBC as a child and had even been baptized there in the 6th grade. Over the years he moved out of state and drifted away from church life and fellowship with God. When he moved back to the neighborhood he grew up in, he decided to give church another try. When he attended a worship service at NPBC one Sunday this past August, it happened to be the day they commissioned educators. They asked people in the education field to stand up so that those around them could pray for them as individuals. When this man stood up and received prayer he was transformed. He later called this event his “homecoming.” It marked the time when he became reunited with his community of faith and when he became a committed Christian. He recently hosted an eleven-11 prayer event at his high school, calling it “the most significant event of his life.” That Sunday in August when this man attended NPBC and was prayed over, he filled out a prayer card and requested that the church call him about helping out at his high school. It so happened that NPBC staff had been praying and waiting over a year for God to give them direction on which high school they should begin a relationship with and serve. God answered their prayers through this high school principal. Not only did God transform this man’s life but he used this man’s occupation to help NBPC live God’s love in the heart of our city.
Eric Swanson is the co-author of the book, The Externally Focused Church, which NPBC staff read together as they sought to move the church toward deeper community involvement. You have the opportunity to hear this author speak and meet him. Eric Swanson will lead a presentation and dialogue on Community Transformation on Friday, December 2, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., in the Chapel at North Phoenix Baptist Church (5757 N. Central Avenue, southeast corner of Central and Bethany Home Road in Phoenix). Eric is the co-author of To Transform a City: Whole Church, Whole Gospel, Whole City, as well as The Externally Focused Church and other excellent books on community impact and transformation. The event is free, but seating is limited, so please reserve your place by sending an email to azcommunityministries@gmail.com or by calling 480-525-7305.
Won’t you come and learn more about helping your church have a greater impact on our community in the name of Christ?
Thank you to Kelly Young, NPBC Minister to Community Volunteers, for sharing these stories.
