Mission: Laurel to Laurel

Reprinted from June 2006 Revelations
by Pastor Dennis

In April, I traveled to Laurel, MS, to meet Pastor Roy Pearson of West Laurel UMC and assess the situation of our “sister city.” Initially we joined our town leaders in the effort to help clean up and rebuild a community that had been crushed by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in August of 2005.

But the need is deeper than bricks and mortar. Pastor Roy asked us to do what only God's people can do: “minister to us.” Yes, there are plenty of structural building and repair jobs to do for the next few years, but right now the children and the elderly are hurting. Depression, emotional exhaustion, and a latent fear of the storm season to come have cast a spiritual cloud across the town.

In our partnership, we began to see the possibilities for how God can move in the midst of tragedy to bring triumph.

There is a two-fold mission project coming together for July 10-24. First, teams in Mississippi and here will be undergoing training to prepare us to lead a four day, day-long VBS using the “Camp Noah” program. This day camp is designed to help children who have been through a traumatic disaster (hurricane, flood, etc.) to help them confront and, in healthy ways, process their fear, anger, and grief. The format uses arts and crafts and Bible-based teaching to provide a non-threatening atmosphere for children to work through their experiences.

So far we have about 20 adults and youth going to Laurel, MS, July 14-22 to set up the VBS for the community and do work projects. Meanwhile, I will be riding my bicycle from Laurel, MD, to Laurel, MS. That's the second aspect of this mission. The ride is designed to raise awareness of the need and unite communities across the miles. There are three objectives involved:

• To be ready: making connections and creating unity for a noble cause will make us ready to take on the next crisis.
• To be responsive: Because we will create, build, and strengthen relationships among community, church, and government leaders across the miles, we can respond without delay the next time. Less time wasted on meetings, calls, and resource searches.
• To bring resurrection to a place of death. Disasters not only kill people, but among the survivors, there is often the death of hope, of faith in God, of community spirit. Uniting the people of God, as one in Christ, uniquely enables us to go where the greatest need is: the hearts and lives of the children. Studies show that individuals under the age of 21 are most likely to respond to the gospel and receive Jesus Christ as their Savior. If the church is one great connection of believers across the miles, the Lord can literally cast us like a net across a devastated community and we will be ready by experience, responsive by training, and filled with Resurrection power by the Holy Spirit.

As we make these connections and create awareness of our efforts for Laurel, MS our team will be bringing the love of Christ to the children. Through the children they'll reach the families. Through the families, they'll bring revival to the community.

This initial project in July is the prototype of greater things yet to come. Space does not allow us to report all the details of how God has worked to open doors, level the paths, and make this all come together.

How can you get involved?

• Attend the “Mission & Masterworks” grand piano concert by Dr. Mack Statham and his talented son, Robert. This classical music event will be held here at First UMC on Friday, June 2, at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free but a collection will be received.
• Buy Stock: Every team member is selling shares at $10 each. Each team member is responsible for raising at least $200 (transportation, food, expenses, etc.); each team member has twenty shares to sell. Buy one or more; the “stock certificate” serves as a receipt for tax purposes.
• Pray not meant to be the last thing, but the power of prayer is the only thing that makes everything else come together. Intercessory prayer lists will be developed between our two Laurel church communities. This will bring us together across a thousand miles, united as one in prayer for the same things.

All of this is for the glory of God, in the name of Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these (John 14:12)