A “David” in a “Goliath” World

The Community Church of Lauderdale by the Sea is a small seasonal congregation whose members are mostly retirees on fixed incomes. There are no large bank accounts, there’s not a large number of younger people keeping things going and there’s not a large staff overseeing church operations.  However, there is a VERY large heart in this church and its God’s heart.  The members of this church have a close connection to the beat of God’s heart. God delivers miraculous results to and through this little church. Members know God’s miracles and they don’t just experience them; they reflect them, they work them and they live them.  They strive to make every miracle a testimony of what IS per God.

They don’t have the materialistic resources larger congregations enjoy, but they’re well supplied.  They’re rich in “Spiritual Blessings” and they know how to use them to the glory of God.  Angels and the many “Hosts” of God’s realm are co-members alongside the congregation. Interactions with God’s realm are more than common place; they’re “The Norm”.
 
This church has accomplished mission and outreach work at a local level for over fifty years.  The church has maintained a food pantry and an “Angel Tree Fund” to help feed those needing temporary assistance.  For many years, it has played host to AA Groups and a non-profit foster care organization where they serve an average of 900 children a month year round, closer to 6,000 during winter and spring holidays. The members have also done a variety of “Special Projects” meant to assist with the needs of the community.

But, God “Called” for more and after experiencing a miracle that affected the entirety of its members, this little church rose up and started reaching further outward in answer to what God wanted them to do.

God “Called” four members of the congregation to start a non-profit organization; which they were able to do under God’s direction in record time.  Under God’s lead, they received their 501(C)3 status within four months of applying and received their first grant two months later!!! This organization is not connected to the church and is not operated in relation to the church or church activities, however, it is a strong community partner through which funding, resources and most of the gaps are filled; allowing both the church and the organization to partner in accomplishing what needs to be done.

In the course of the last few years, this small, but very active congregation has accomplished projects serving local, state, national and world focuses and they keep them maintained.  While others were eliminating programs as a result of a crashing economy, God fueled the abilities of this small church to continue everything it was doing, in addition to starting a variety of new programs.

In light of their miraculous experience and new insights, the church answered God’s “Call”. The women’s group re-organized and started working mission and outreach projects that quickly grew. The church’s Session fine-tuned its focuses to make sure church operations were mission and outreach based. The Deacons changed gears and started their “Caring Hands” program that offers a variety of assistance to the aging, handicapped and medically needy. 

The children of this little church (seven children ages 3-11) led the way; setting an example of mission & outreach that the adults soon followed.  The children progressed from their original missions and outreach focuses to accomplishing projects that were impressively successful; working adult size projects without allowing their ages to limit them.  For example: the children’s outreach to the troops serving our country was so impressive that the children of this little church were honored by all four departments of the military for services rendered. The teenagers, only a half a dozen in number, stay busy helping with all aspects of church missions and outreach, as well as with teen based projects for at risk teens.  

This little church hosts “Health”, “Safety”, “Disability Awareness” and “Going Green” (environment) programs. They assist their partnering non-profits with fundraising and program development.  They work with group homes, nursing homes, foster care programs, deaf families, the intellectually challenged, the homeless, children’s hospitals, low income schools, therapeutic centers, shelter homes, pet rescue and other local focuses.  They serve people in the Appalachia Mountains and helped with disaster relief in Haiti. They also participate with Operation Christmas Child, Living Waters for the World, Soles for Souls and Heifer Project; as well ascontinuing to grow new programs, projects and events that “Work God’s Work” to God’s glory.

They may only have a “David” size congregation, but this little church is tackling “Goliath” size issues alongside their partnering non-profit.  They’re bursting forth in answer to God’s “Call” to grow missions and outreach focuses to the benefit of others and they’re willing to assist other churches in regards to growing their missions and outreach focuses too.  If you would like assistance with ideas regarding how your church can grow its missions and outreach programs, give them a call 954-776-5530.

 

by Barbara Haley

Community Church

 

 

Pantry

 

 

 

 

Fundraising