December 2006
Hello, my friends!
CHRISTMAS! What a season! When I say the word, "Christmas!" what comes into your mind? Baby Jesus? Gifts? Shopping? One of the dangers of living in a materialistic culture is we become too focused on THINGS.
I am amazed by how much I am attached to stuff. One of our ministry's supporters gave me a car. I've driven real clunkers over the years, but this one was great!. I had real fear parking that new Chrysler at the missions where I work. I knew how crazy those kids were and how they regularly messed up cars. I just didn't want anything to hurt my new ride.
And yet, as I look at the other cars in my garage, I used to feel the same way about THEM! How our affections can fade over the years for things that we once considered SO important
Things don't matter: PEOPLE matter!
It's not the stuff you give people that they remember, it's the time they spent with YOU that they remember. The most important thing you can give your children is time. When our volunteers invest their time in the community, families change!
Whirlwind Missions is people! Our whole ministry is based upon supporting the best people. I was asked to give input on Apartment Ministry by a Doctoral student at Southwestern. He asked me, "What is the MOST important thing in reaching people for Christ in your ministry?" After much reflection I answered, "We must engage the church."
We need boots on the ground. Studying the problem doesn't fix it. Doing something about it fixes it! I believe our team is only as good as the people on it. And our partners are awesome! At Whirlwind Missions we believe that investing in people when they're just starting out in ministry is critical. I mentor eight people, which translates to eight more Tims. I hope that's a good thing!
The key to this equation is scale. We must find more and better ways of engaging Christians in our communities. Help us mobilize the church! Please make a special gift to Whirlwind Missions this Christmas. We appreciate your generosity SO much! Our team makes the difference in so many people's lives and YOU are part of that team! I give thanks for YOU!!