I was deeply humbled and convicted of the sacrificial generosity that was surely inconveniencing and putting extra strain on a situation that was already over taxed.  I was reminded of the widows mite as told in Mark 12:41-43:

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.

The generosity of our campers’ Maw-Maw has been a tool God has used to spur me on time and time again.  I am so foolish to think that the hoarding of my resources will produce great joy and security. As the author of Hebrews writes, “look(ing) to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.”  Our savior himself modeled for us that the ultimate joy is found in giving ourselves away for  the benefit of others.”

It gave me great joy to know that these kids were able to be a part of a great summer camp experience at our church.  I was thankful for our summer interns, many who have come from very similar backgrounds as these campers. I knew that they had the needed compassion and empathy to help love on and nurture these campers all summer long and to point them to their Heavenly father who loves them infinitely more than we could.

Our camp is a 6-week experience for children 5 to 14 years old. Camp includes an academic component, the arts, athletics, field trips and plain old fun. Being a distinctively Christian camp, campers are taught and memorize God’s Word in fun and creative ways. Over the last five summers of camp we have served over 200 youth from our neighborhood.

Summer camp also serves as a great tool to raise up the next generation of leadership as our camp is run by young adults from our neighborhood. Throughout the summer they gain invaluable leadership and life skills that will help them be successful in life. The spiritual formation of these leaders is a key part of their summers as interns.

To pull off a great summer camp, we need to raise $15,000.  Would you prayerfully consider making a special gift to help kids in our neighborhood have a fun-filled, gospel centered summer?

Sincerely

Ben McLeish
Diaconal Ministries Director

Schedule of Events
Saturday, March 24th
11:00 am Party Starts
12:30 pm Ribbon Cutting for Ministry House
1:00 pm Tour of Church Campus
2:00 pm Tour of Staple Goods Gallery
3:00 pm Party Over

Sunday, March 25th
10:00 am Worship Service, followed by lunch

Highlights of the last 5 years:
-grown from 5 to over 70 in regular attendance
-bought & renovated a church campus
-established discipleship groups
-provided summer camp for over 200 youth
-renovated 11 units of housing & commercial spaces
-facilitated over 1,200 volunteers, tallying more than 36,000 volunteer hours
-provided over 100 hours of financial literacy training to over 40 individuals
-provided free tax services to over 300 neighbors
-infused over $2,000,000 worth of reinvestment in our neighborhood
-looking forward to ordaining our first elders and deacon in 2012

Can’t join us? Consider making a financial investment in our future at www.strochcc.org.

• A personal relationship with Jesus Christ & a love for His Church
• Integrity & a good reputation
• Hard worker, self-motivated, team player and servant-hearted
• Participate in weekly worship services, Bible studies and other Body life activities.
• Be physically able to participate in construction related activities.

SRCC will provide free housing (a studio apartment located on the church campus) and a $200/monthly stipend. The intern would have the option to raise support if additional financial resources are needed.

For more information about the church visit www.strochcc.org. If interested in the position please e-mail your resume along with 3 references (one work related, one personal and one pastor reference) to Ben McLeish at ben@strochcc.org.

As you wrap up any last minute year-end giving, I wanted to share with you a brief story about a recent Sunday service…

One of my favorite things about our church is prayer time on Sunday mornings.  It’s not uncommon for us to spend 30 minutes hearing and praying for needs along with celebrating God’s goodness in the lives of our congregation. We have wept with people over the loss of loved ones and celebrated with others who have found a job or had a baby.  The Sunday before Christmas, in particularly, was a special one.

Andy (A.K.A. Superman) is in his late twenties, is autistic and has the biggest heart of anyone you ever met.  Kris is in his early twenties, just finished Tulane graduate school and is off to an internship on the east coast.  Andy and Kris were roommates.  When it came time to pray, Andy, in typical fashion, stuttered through a semi-coherent prayer for Kris on his last Sunday with us.  About half way through, Andy began to sob.  Kris already had tears and snot rolling down his face (he was unsuccessfully attempting to keep his composure as he played the keyboard in the background).  Before Andy’s prayer ended he had Kris in a bear hug praying a blessing over him.  There wasn’t a dry eye in the sanctuary.  For this unlikely duo, the Gospel is what connected them and allowed them to share such deep friendship. 

Ms. Patricia was also in the crowd that day and asked for prayer for a financial bind she found herself in.  After working diligently to meet her modest mortgage payment, she still found herself behind.  Prompted by God, Pastor J.B. arose and challenged the congregation with a couple of passages from scripture and said, “not to sound heretical, but this isn’t something we need to pray about.  We need to do something about it.  You’ve heard your sister’s need.”  He encouraged us to give generously and joyfully and as a congregation. With a portion of the offering collected that Sunday, we were able to meet her need.  I was reminded of the first church in Acts where they shouldered the burdens of one another. 

Space and time do not permit me to share all the amazing ways God has moved in our midst this year.  I’m thankful for all of you who have stood by our sides and have made investments of time, treasure and talent to see God’s Kingdom, peace and presence prosper in our neighborhood. 

May this new year be one of blessing and closeness to Christ for you and your family.

Sincerely,

Ben McLeish

I don’t know about you but with all of the hype around exchanging gifts at Christmas, I’m often left feeling a little empty. My heart pines for shiny things, all of which never stand up to their promises of fulfillment.  Even the most amazing, heartfelt, homemade gift doesn’t seem to fill the void.  It’s as if they are pointing to something bigger, something that does ultimately fulfill, something that makes us whole and complete.

All throughout God’s redemptive history there were signs pointing to something greater to come,  something or someone that could and would fulfill our longings.  Jesus is the fulfillment of those hopes, dreams and longings. Centuries ago, God sent the Christ, the Great Rescuer, and on that day, as the song ‘Oh Little Town of Bethlehem’ says “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.”
As you enjoy this day, hopefully full of joy, family and traditions, I pray you’d join me in enjoying God’s greatest gift, His son Jesus, the one whose promises never fail.

Sincerely,

Ben McLeish + The St. Roch Communtiy Church Family