Description
How can churches bridge the gap between spiritual mission and community care?
Johan Heinrichs and Wendi Park explore the innovative Care Portal technology, which merges church efforts with social services to support child welfare and community needs. They emphasize the importance of relational engagement and the impactful role of small community groups. The episode underscores the challenges churches face in mobilizing members and highlights the Care Journey, a small group resource offered by CareImpact, which encourages churches to deepen their discipleship and community involvement. The conversation touches on the broader understanding of poverty, the call for empathy-driven support, and the importance of awakening dignity in service, all aimed at fostering real, transformative engagement, reflecting the teachings of Jesus.
Time Stamps
[06:58] Helping churches become transformative through active engagement.
[07:58] Supporting churches with discipleship-focused resources collaboratively.
[12:26] Focus on transforming community, not information overload.
[15:20] Kairos Moments: divine interruptions and responding with faith.
[19:45] Trauma Care: Presence over rescue, presence matters.
[21:21] Showing respect and dignity in human interactions.
[27:04] Excited for church's role in social services.
[29:09] The harvest is plentiful, but workers few.
Links:
The Care Journey small group resource: https://careimpact.ca/carejourney
PODCAST TRANSCRIPT
CORRESPONDING JOURNEY WITH PRAYER:
Matthew 25:40 | Hands and Feet of Love
Passage
Matthew 25:40-45
ESV (English Standard Version)
And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’
NLT (New Living Translation)
And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’
NIV (New International Version)
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
Ask Yourself
"How can I serve the least of these this week? How can I see Jesus in those who are hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick, or in prison?"
Walk it Out
Reflect
Meditate on Matthew 25:42-45. Spend time considering how you can recognize Jesus in those who are suffering or in need.
Journal about barriers that prevent you from reaching out to serve others and think about how you can overcome them.
Engage
Actively look for opportunities to serve those in need around you.
Make a commitment to step out and assist someone in your community this week, whether through providing food, clothing, or simply spending time with someone who feels isolated.
Pray
Pray for eyes to see opportunities to serve and a willingness to act on them.
Pray for the transformation of your own heart to become more compassionate and action-oriented in serving others.
Pray for the breaking down of walls of fear, prejudice, and indifference that prevent us from reaching out to those in need.
PODCAST TRANSCRIPT
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