A Light in our Community
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16
Jesus compares the church to a city set on a hill, visible to all around it. He reminds us to let our light shine so that others may see it and give God the glory for it.
As I reflect on these verses, I am reminded that the light is the brightest when it is closest to the source. As we move from the light, it grows dimmer. The light can only reach so far. My light as a Christian only reaches so far; I will not reach the whole world for Christ. Mulberry Grove will not reach the whole world for Christ or even all of Buckingham County. The beauty of the Church, though, is that one local church doesn’t need to because there are countless churches around the world, each serving as a light. Each bearing the light in Jesus’ name to help reach their corner of the world with the gospel.
The question we’ve been asking lately is: how can we better serve as a light here at home? How can we make a difference for the Kingdom of God here where our light has the opportunity to shine the brightest?
Two answers that we have found: rethinking our youth missions and hosting community dinners. We wanted our youth group to think differently about what it means to live on mission. So instead of going away to mission camp this year, we hosted our own. We did projects here at home for our neighbors and friends so that our youth can understand the impact we can make locally. It was a chance for them to see there are needs all around us and we are uniquely equipped to meet those needs.
The second thing we have done lately is begin a Dinner Church. In May, our church launched “The Grove Gathering,” a monthly community dinner. Each month we gather with church members, friends, and neighbors to share a meal together, to get to know one another better, and to encourage one another. It’s a chance for us to connect with neighbors who may not be available or feel comfortable attending a Sunday morning worship service. It’s been a chance to feed our community and pour out the love of Christ to whoever walks through our door. While this gathering is still in the infancy stages, I am encouraged by the way God is already working through it.
Being on mission is vital to who we are as Christians. While mission trips and larger initiatives are important, let’s not miss the impact we can have on a small, local scale as well. Maybe the place God is calling us to shine the brightest is the place where he has placed us; right here at home.
If the idea of partnering to host a local youth mission camp next summer is something your church would be interested in, please reach out. It is something Mulberry Grove hopes to do again, and we’d love to partner with others.
