Filed under: -- Outreach and Missions
Above and Beyond Expectations
MPC’s annual Missions/Faith Promise Celebration engages individuals in a venture of faith, promising to God what we cannot see in order to support missions locally and around the world. Faith Promise funds support missions outreach in our local Anderson area, throughout the United States to Native American outreach and in the world with special projects targeted in India, Russia, Haiti and Africa.
Even when looking for God to work the results often come as a great surprise. Sue Ellis visited MPC, with relatives Carolyn Speedy and Chris Schnaitteron, on 2009 Faith Promise Sunday. Living on a fixed income with limited resources she still felt compelled to make a pledge. When she returned home to Oklahoma there was a letter in the mail informing her of an increase in her widow’s pension. Totally unexpected, the year’s increase equaled what she had pledged—in faith. She sent her check to MPC in support of missions around the world.
Faith Promise money comes in a variety of unexpected and unique ways as people begin looking at income through God’s vision of possibilities. Debbi and Dan Schoger bought a headboard, dresser and chest at a second hand store. As they were cleaning the dresser, they found an envelope on the bottom of a drawer. Opening it, they found a large sum of money. Debbi said “In astonishment we looked at each other and exclaimed together, ‘The exact amount of our Faith Promise pledge!’” After checking with the place of purchase, who declared the money theirs, they made the check out and gave it to missions. Later they were cleaning out the chest and found another envelope under some paper. In astonishment, they counted out the amount of money they had paid for the bedroom set. They testify, “God provides—above and beyond our expectations.”
The annual missions celebration shares the big picture of what God is doing around the globe and a glimpse of how God wants His people to engage with the world for the sake of those who don’t yet know him. Anticipate what God could do throughout the year by exercising your love and faith in Him.
For more information on outreach and mission, contact Jeff Matas, Senior Associate Pastor.
Outreach and Mission at MPC
Relationships are the key to resources and work
For over thirty years MPC’s strong missions emphasis has engaged individuals to support financially and relationally with needs in Anderson and around the globe. Recently, at the home of Pastor Lyon, a group of people who have been engaged in MPC’s outreach and mission program met to celebrate all the good that’s happened in the past and strategize about how to best maximize our congregation’s impact for the good beyond our front doors in 2010 and beyond.
The church’s intentional decision to focus on specific areas of outreach that build relationships and transcend personalities has been the catalyst in projects around the globe. In the 1990’s the church body voted to focus on three areas of outreach; India, Russia and Haiti. Funds provided a fifty bed hospital in India, purchased the first Church of God property in Russia, and a medical facility in Haiti. People give monetarily because of relationships. Even when money is tight MPC is still committed to relationships.
MPC’s local outreach through Dove Harbor and Miriam Project provides programs and relationships not otherwise available in Madison County. MPC provides the building and maintenance as well as operating funds provided through the church budget.
MPC was one of the founding churches for Operation Love, a relief agency that provides for people in need in our local community. MPC-goers have the opportunity to provide canned goods and food throughout the year and many work as volunteers and build relationships at Operation Love.
Pastor Lyon shares, “There is much to celebrate; God has done so much good through the people of MPC. There’s much to which we can also look forward; the doors are open wide with exciting new opportunities.”
Many MPC-goers have answered a call to specific ministries and are giving their life in helping and building relationships in areas such as New York City, Native American ministries in Wounded Knee, Honduras, Africa and Indonesia. MPC-goers are building relationships with these ministries through work camps and individual financial support.
Pastor Lyon emphasizes that, “Each one of us is important. Relationships matter–and they are the key to resources and everything else. Your relationship in the mission reach of Madison Park Church is highly valued. Know that you are respected, needed, and treasured. We are unwavering in the focus to maintain and expand our commitments in Outreach and Mission.”
If you are interested in becoming personally involved with an Embassy team (Local, India, Russia, Haiti) email Pastor Jim Lyon or Jackie Corn, Administrative Assistant, Outreach and Missions). Let us know where you see yourself fitting into the Outreach and Missions at MPC.
Filed under: -- Outreach and Missions, Feature Articles, Weekly News and Events
Eclectic, Reflective, Intimate
New Crossroads Worship to launch this fall
Crossroads Worship, a new Sunday worship service at MPC is set to launch at 10:45am on August 30 in Crossroads Auditorium. The new service, open to people of all ages, will feature an eclectic, reflective and intimate worship experience, led by John Wesley Tibbs, along with biblical teaching from Pastor Jim Lyon, via live video feed from the Main Auditorium.
Tibbs, along with a worship team and technical team, will take advantage of the intimate environment in Crossroads Auditorium, while creating an atmosphere of worship that will feature an eclectic mix of music ranging in style from a guitar and keyboard driven praise and worship sets to simple unplugged acoustic moments of worship, featuring solo instruments like cello or violin.
Just at the Main Auditorium has its own unique sense of space and presence, which informs the possibilities and dynamics of the powerful, uplifting worship services held there, Crossroads Auditorium provides a distinctive aesthetic which creates a setting for a casual, yet inspired worship experience.
“I am very excited to be a part of Madison Park, and feel God will use Crossroads Worship to continue reaching into our community.” shares Tibbs. “The worship team will include people of all ages, leading a service – for all ages.”
Jeff Matas, Senior Associate Pastor, is serving as the director of Crossroads Worship, partnering with Steve Williamson, Worship Arts Pastor who is providing leadership and support to John Wesley Tibbs from the Worship Arts office.
Crossroads Worship provides a new opportunity to reach out to family and friends who may be looking for a church home or seeking a spiritual path to know more about God. If you’re participating in the Won by One initiative (see page 4) and have identified persons for whom you are praying, consider inviting them to Crossroads Worship. An E-vite is available at www.MadisonParkChurch.org and watch for Facebook invites online, too.
CW Volunteers by the Numbers
Volunteers are needed to serve as greeters, ushers, set-up crew for Crossroads Worship:
4 – Number of Greeters needed to welcome worshipers, newcomers and guests.
12 – Number of Ushers needed to serve in worship: help people find available seats, receive the offering, serve communion.
12 – Number of Set- up Crew Members needed to prepare Crossroads Auditorium for worship: set up chairs, assist with stage set-up.
Sign up to Volunteer on the MPC website, see News and Events Page, stop-by the Information Center, or contact Shelly Stottlemyer, Director of Front Door Ministries at (765) 642-2000.
