Our District Prersident of United Methodist Men, Charlie Gray, weighs in on a recent experience @ Sagar Brown,
headquarters for UMCOR’s disaster relief supply collection effort.
friends,
I had the blessing to spend last week at the UMCOR ( United Methodist Committee On Relief ) Sagar Brown Depot in Baldwin Louisiana. Sagar Brown is the headquarters for UMCOR’s disaster relief supply collection effort ……. “mission central” if you will. I was there representing MERCI Center. Directors from seven Mission Centers across the nation gathered to discuss policy, procedure and strategy as it relates to natural disaster preparedness. Millions of dollars in relief supplies flow each year through this network as a result of thousands of volunteers rolling up their sleeves and serving those in need.
There is overwhelming evidence in scripture that clearly defines God’s expectations of each of us in the area of service. It was a “joyful noise” in the depot hearing the buzz of volunteers, young and old, sorting items and rolling them in towels to form health kits that would be stored and ready for shipment to areas in need. It was hot but the mammoth fans were turning and mass quantities of Gatorade was being consumed. For a moment these volunteers had escaped the demands, problems and callings of the world to become the hands and feet of Jesus.
Service is worship. Places such as Sagar Brown, MERCI Center and others offer an opportunity for people to meet God – opportunities to fulfill the role of servant. I once heard a preacher say these mission centers are just as important as a church in the spiritual formation of Christians. Through Isaiah, God said that true worship is not just a Sunday ritual, but a daily lifestyle. ” It may begin in a house of prayer but it ends up in the public square” … Man !!! I love that.
When Jesus washed the feet of His disciples … He set the bar … He demonstrated a fundamental principle that He regularly stressed to His followers. A true disciple places the need of others before their own, a commitment to meet the need of others. A commitment that looks for neither favors nor reciprocity from the people they serve. Jesus made the service to others the indication of fitness for eternal life.
I celebrate what our church is doing to provide opportunities of service to those that will at some time find themselves in a place of need. Those people in need may be me and you. None of us know what the future holds. Our lives are great ……. then disaster strikes and leaves us naked in the flood waters of despair. Thanks to places like Sagar Brown there is hope for those in need and opportunity for those who seek to be like Jesus.
charlie
