“For the poor will never cease out of the land; therefore I command you, you shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in the land.” –Deuteronomy 15:11
I was recently privileged to be part of a great mission experience. On Tuesday, November 7, over 70 St. Luke’s members joined with our friends at Rancho Village, the Downtown Lions Club, and Feed the Children to provide food, books, backpacks and toys to the families of Rancho Village. Families drove away this event with their cars filled by items to bless the entire family. My heart was filled with joy as I watched families receive their items and offer their gratitude.
Our work that day was not easy. There was a lot of people to serve and it took great effort on the part of the volunteers. It was also a cold and wet day. Because of the volume of items being given away and the amount of people being served we had to do the event outside. I was so proud to see our volunteers working as if the weather was warm inviting when it was anything but. That night all of the volunteers went home tired and cold, but their hearts were warmed with the knowledge that they had been a blessing to so many.
As we served the Rancho Village community, I was reminded that giving my time in service to others is something I have never regretted. Service often demands time I just don’t feel I have free to give. The opportunities to serve are not found in ideal circumstances. Sometimes, because we live in Oklahoma, the weather is often not perfect, but those should not deter us. There are so many great ways to serve and so many wonderful people who need, as it says in the book of Deuteronomy, for us to, “Open wide [our] hand to [our] brother, to the needy and to the poor, in the land.” Thank you for your willingness to serve. I hope you will continue to look for opportunities to serve, it is something you will not regret.
Rev. Keith King, Online Campus Pastor
