Adopt A Street Initiative
God is moving in our community as local New Testament churches are partnering in a Philadelphian manner to love our neighbors as ourselves in fulfillment of the great commandment. In the New Testament Jesus is asked by a Pharisee what the greatest commandment in the Old Testament was. Jesus responded by giving this Pharisee two commandments upon which the law and prophets hang and upon which Jesus would set the immutable standard for the fulfilment of these two fundamentals upon which the entire 600 plus commands of the Old Testament rest.
Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matthew 22:36-40
God is moving in our community through the effort of one faith filled saint to organize gospel preaching and believing churches to simply love our neighbors as ourselves as an evidence that we love God. She, with the support of her pastor has gone church to church, pastor to pastor to encourage and challenge us to come together as churches to simply love our neighbors for a season of six months by going door to door to establish a relationship with the people who live in our community. I hesitate to share the woman's name, not because she should not be commended, but because I want her to receive her reward in Heaven and I have not asked her permission to share her name publicly. Needless to say, her sincere faith and vision to do such a simple, yet profound thing culminated in the gathering of many of the Pastors in Harrisonville on Monday evening January 22, 2024 at the Harrisonville Chamber to share resources that can be offered to the citizens of Cass County in addition to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
All we really need to bring is the sincere love of Christ and a willingness to pray for our neighbors, but having a resource to help with practical needs will often open the door to the gospel. I am excited about the opportunity God has provided HBF to participate in this "Adopt A Street" program. I told the organizers to give HBF whatever neighborhoods the other churches didn't want, and we will go there. I could not be more thrilled with the locations God has provided for us to invest in the heart of Harrisonville.
Our commitment is to visit these neighborhoods once per month to build relationships, get to know our neighbors, pray, and seek open doors where God provides them to show the love of Christ and share the gospel. I know from there God will grant the opportunity for members of our church to lead people to Christ, bring forth new disciples and advance the Kingdom of God in our community.
What I love about this project is that it is not just about one church but about the one thing churches in our community should be partnering on and presenting a consistent voice and that is the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ as defined in the scripture. That is the best way to love our neighbor as ourselves. I am so thankful my drafting instructor took time 37 years ago to show me the love of Christ from God's word so I could receive the gift of God. It started with a relationship and a willingness to meet me where I lived.
We are inviting all members, regular attenders and even guests to join us as we engage in this Intentional Gospel Outreach in our community. As is our custom, we will have our other outreach initiatives planned for 2024 and this will simply fit hand in glove into God's glorious plan for the advance of the Kingdom of God in our church and all the churches in Harrisonville.
Just a few hours ago, a member of our church told me they were so excited about this simple concept that they want to implement it in their neighborhood in Lee's Summit! That is exactly what they should do and exactly what God does when he starts moving among his people to accomplish his mission in his power for his glory by his grace.
Please join me in praying and participating in this initiative to reach our neighbors through the simple yet powerful act of love. There are sign-up sheets available at the connections counter. If you have questions you can contact Pastor Jeremy Bonnesen, Pat Lee or Pam Jackson. I pray you join us as we accomplish the great commandment together for God's glory.