Why We Serve
The grace of God motivates us to acts of love and service that guilt and fear never will. There can be many motives for serving: because we see a need, because we feel guilty, because it makes us a feel better about ourselves. The Bible calls us to service for a different reason—because God served us in Jesus. Jesus said that He came not to be served, but to serve (Mark 10.42-45). And this service culminated in offering His life for our sin. Seeing the poverty of our souls, Jesus becomes poor, so we might become rich. So, the Christian motive is different, it’s not to work off a guilty conscience, or a crutch to feel righteous and acceptable, but rather fueled by our gratitude for grace.
The Bible calls for Every-Member ministry.
Why we serve has everything to do with the way we serve. God’s grace helps us to appreciate our gifts and talents, but also accept our God-given limits. We then come to appreciate our need for others in the community (1 Corinthians 12). At City of Hope, we believe that every member is necessary. Only when the entire community is appreciated and employed in serving will we grow into the body of Christ (Ephesians 4).
Mercy Ministry
As Christians, we show mercy to others because of the mercy God showed us through Christ. When we begin to realize we need God’s grace constantly and desperately, not only once for salvation, we will begin to see ourselves mirrored in those who are physically and emotionally in need. Acts of love and mercy will flow naturally out of and testify to a heart changed by Christ’s love.
As the Church, our mercy should mirror God’s mercy to us in Christ, thus reflecting the Gospel to those we serve. This mercy is sacrificial, relational, honoring, and meets people where they are but does not leave them there. The organizations that the Missional Team has principally partnered with seek to embody these principles.
The current organizations we serve with are as follows:
Route 1 Day Center for the Homeless:
Our homeless friends on Route 1 now have a place to get meals, shower, do laundry, collect mail, etc. Hours: Saturdays, 10:00 – 2:00; Mondays, 2:00 – 6:00; and Wednesdays, 4:00 – 8:00. Needs: Volunteers are needed to be at the site when it is open, to prepare meals to bring to the site, and to go out to the sites to maintain contact with everyone who is not coming to the Center. For more information about the Day Center, visit their website at http://rt1daycenter.wikispaces.com Contact Denise Ai if you want to bring meals or donate goods.
Christian Jail Ministry
(www.christianjailministry.org): The mission of this agency is to minister to the personal, social, and spiritual needs of inmates at the Howard County Detention Center, their families, Detention Center Staff, and volunteers involved with inmates.
Sunday Ministry
As a community-driven church, City of Hope depends on its members and regular attendees to be involved, and use their gifts. Here are the various teams that our members and attendees serve on: Children’s Ministry Team, Communion Team, Music Team, Setup Team, Sound Team, Greeter Team