"No other organization on earth can change the human heart and transform society. But the church can. There's only one power in the world that can change the world; it's the power of the love of Jesus Christ; the love that conquers sin and wipes out shame and heals wounds and reconciles enemies and patches broken dreams and ultimately changes the world one life at time. The radical message of that transforming love has been given to the church. There's nothing like the church when it is working right. It comforts the grieving and heals the brokenhearted; it builds bridges to the seekers and offers truth to the confused. It provides resources for those in need. It breaks the chains of addictions; it frees the oppressed, and offers belonging to the marginalized world. In the church people must feel God's love and that is that they are loved in spite of their waywardness and sin. Whatever the capacity for human suffering, the church has a greater capacity for healing and wholeness."

Bill Hybels

Jesus saw people like sheep who were harassed and helpless. That is still the way He sees them today. As a church we are called to be an oasis for the weary traveler and a haven of rest for the restless wanderer. We are the hope of the world!

There's no limit to the amount of good the church can accomplish when it is healthy. What can the church do?

In Matthew 19:13-15, Jesus said, "Let the children come to me." Children are special in the sight of God. In our world, children suffer tremendously. They need love, protection and especially guidance. As a church we provide all of that. We teach the children that they belong to God and that they are special in his eyes. We teach them that their true value is on the inside - that is what our children ministry is about. The church also helps strengthen marriages. The children need to see healthy marriages. The world paints a horrible picture of marriage. Parents in the church learn godly parenting. The children benefit from that.

In Acts 2:1, Peter referenced the prophecy of Joel concerning the church and he says, "...young men will dream dreams..." What does the world offer teenagers and young adults? A lack of role models; the example of a self-serving life and the indulgence in anything that can produce instant gratification. To the young of this generation, the Church offers great role models (both in the Bible and in the congregation); self-acceptance rooted in the love of God in spite of circumstances; the power of God to shape their character into strong individuals. The church also offers them incredible dreams.

In John7: 37-39, Jesus describes the life of a disciple as "flowing streams of living water." The world teaches that happiness is in the pursuit of wealth. The church shows us that happiness is in fulfilling our God-given role in this life.

Imagine a church where early on the children get a glimpse of God as a real person with whom they can have and nurture an intimate relationship. Then, they move to the Pre-teen ministry where the word of God becomes real to them and they learn to build their faith in God; next, they move into the teen ministry, where they are equipped to face the daunting challenges of adolescence. Following that, they go into the campus ministry where they learn a profession and at the same time help countless of students find God and the true purpose for their lives. After that, they become single professionals shaping our society; then they get married and have the kind of marriages that not only reverse the divorce rate in our society but inspire entire generations to want to follow God's plan for relationships. And finally, they become parents who guide their children through the children ministry to repeat the entire process. This is a God-honoring vision worth investing our time, money and energy. Why? Because, it is the only hope of the world!

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