Fierce Christians Think Outside of The Box!

Think Globally, Act Locally! The phrase of, “Think Globally, Act Locally,” can first be attributed to Scots Planner in 1905. It is this kind of thinking that took place in a small town in Shalimar, FL, that spurred a small Bible study group of twelve, named “Out of the Box,” at Shalimar United Methodist church to plan the areas 1st Annual Easter Outreach. There have been Thanksgiving and Christmas outreaches in abundance every year, but in this community, and we suspect in many across the nation, there isn’t one Easter Outreach. So, this group was led to do just that, in hopes of inspiring other churches to do the same next year.

This Easter Outreach is a great example of how to implement action in your local community based on the vision of the people of your church or community. A Bible study group at Shalimar United Methodist Church came up with the idea as a practical means to reach out to those in need in their community, and the surrounding area of Ft. Walton Beach, FL. A member of the group had been serving in a local soup kitchen at the Waterfront Rescue Mission in Ft. Walton Beach, FL when she discovered a passion for educating herself on those in need in her community, and the need for advocacy on behalf of those in need. When discussing the issues of the local homeless and others in need in the community, she noticed that there were many preconceived notions, misconceptions, and stereo-typing going on regarding them.

Advocacy and education was one of the main reasons the outreach was organized. The hope was the outreach volunteers would serve those in need in the community, and that through this service; the volunteers would abandon biases, misconceptions and stereo-types. A great man once said, “Don’t just meet the needs, meet the people with the needs.” Those words ring more true every day as one serves in a soup kitchen. Serving those in need leads to conversations, which leads to relationships, which leads to sharing life stories, which leads to less fear, more love and truth. And we all know, “The truth shall set you free,” free from deceit set in motion by the enemy, free from bias opinions, free from stereo-types.

At the Shalimar Easter Outreach, 225 meals were served, 90 attended a worship service, there was one profession of faith, over 200 Bibles/devotionals handed out, and over 441 volunteer man hours from 75 volunteers, and 25 Easter baskets were given out. In addition, the event received support from the community in donations of the Bibles/devotionals, stuffed animals, meal sponsorship, prayers, and food donations. There was even one volunteer that literally gave the shirt off of his back to a homeless man that had just gotten out of the hospital, and had no regular clothes with him. God’s grace, glory and love were in great abundance at this 1st of many Easter Outreaches. They are now serving their 3rd Easter Outreach meal this year!

So, how about starting to organize one in your community? Can you imagine fierce Christians all over the country reaching out to those in need to share the good news of Jesus and the resurrection? Talk about taking back ground from the enemy! Rock on brothers and sisters in Christ!