Faithful Service in Extraordinary Times
听Extraordinary circumstances make the ordinary difficult. As a result, small deeds of kindness, sweet moments of fellowship, and simple conversations of truth provide God鈥檚 people with extraordinary ways to demonstrate His grace, share His gospel,听and bring Him glory.听听
Throughout听2020, local churches听have听struggled to worship and fellowship corporately. Carrick Baptist Church of听Carrick-on-Shannon, Ireland,听is no different.听Josh (鈥11, 鈥13) and Annie (Newcomer, 鈥11) Moore have served at Carrick Baptist Church听since 2016听along with their three children: Cian, Eva, and Rory. Like many others, the听Moores听and the Carrick congregation听struggled听with technological difficulties听as they听moved听their services online.听
Despite the challenges,听Carrick Baptist听found creative ways to connect and minister, rallying听together to display the love of Christ for each other and their community.听One听gentleman began checking on an听elderly man in the church; the ladies met听consistently听for fellowship; members routinely听called听on听one another听seeking to meet听needs.听The听church鈥檚听desire to听give听grew.听Due to the听lockdown, the church did not have to pay rent and听therefore, Carrick Baptist was able to set aside听rent听money听to meet needs. The church unanimously voted to send a generous donation to听a听biblical counseling听ministry in Ireland for those enslaved to addictions.听Carrick Baptist was thrilled to be a blessing to another vital ministry.听听
Carrick Baptist has听seen听visitors and had听many gospel听opportunities听during this unique time!听In one instance, Josh had an opportunity to share the gospel听with听a cynical听man. After kindly听sidestepping听the cynicism, Josh听had a听wide-open听door for sharing the truth, and听the gentleman听was open to visiting their church. Josh described听his听church to the man: 鈥淲e听have people from all different age groups and cultural backgrounds, but we all love Jesus and have repented of our sin and placed our faith in Him for salvation. Christ has drawn us together and we seek to encourage, serve,听and love one another as we go through the turbulence of life together.鈥听
Upon returning听to corporate worship, the听Moores听excitedly experienced a tremendous turnout.听Josh explained, 鈥淭here was real hunger for corporate worship and fellowship.听We all missed singing together. It is such an important part of worship,听as the music听is directed toward God but builds up the body.鈥澨齌he听Moores听have seen God grow their church; they have several new families attending and several who plan to join as members. Josh shares, 鈥淚t has been so good to be able to have people in our homes again,听visit with one another, share a meal together, and encourage each other.听We praise听God for His grace to sustain us听during听our trials. God is faithful and good.鈥澨听
The听Moores听and Carrick Baptist Church听demonstrate听just one example of God鈥檚 faithful people ministering to each other in ordinary ways,听bringing extraordinary light in a dark world.听Extraordinary听service starts with听little moments听yielded to Him,听that God uses for the praise of听His glory.听
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Author Bio
Karrie Beverly Flegal serves as Director of Guest Relations and Assistant for Alumni Services听at MBU. She came to 海角原创 to pursue a MA in Biblical Counseling听and looks听forward to using听her training听in all areas of her life and ministry. This article first appeared in the Fall 2020 海角原创 Advantage.听