The Everyone A Chance to Hear (EACH) initiative is a great example of how to apply a biblical model to a program that can reach 3.5 million people in the metropolitan Detroit area.
Today's Devotional Scripture
"They joined with other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord's Supper and in prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. They worshiped together...and shared their meals with great joy and generosity - all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved." (Acts 2:42-47, New Living Translation)
EACH Promotes Fellowship and Service
Over 500 churches in Detroit and its surrounding suburbs have committed themselves to the EACH initiative, so they can share the Good News of Jesus Christ (the apostles' teaching) and develop a closer relationship (fellowship) with the people in their communities. Members of these churches have united under the banner of Christ and share the Lord's Supper and pray with and for each other.
"Awe" is a good word to describe the way God has blessed this effort. There isn't space in this article to report all the encouraging news that has accumulated in the last two years, but here are some highlights:n four significant ways:
- Two consecutive years of massive Prayer Walks that travel from the Comerica Park parking lot to the Spirit of Detroit and back again.
- Conducting numerous mobile medical and dental health service fairs in partnership with the Covenant Community Care organization, in order to serve people in need in the most distressed areas of the region.
- Serving tens of thousands of meals a day through partnerships with the Detroit Rescue Mission and the Forgotten Harvest food organization.
- Providing “resource fairs” during a 40-day period after Easter in 2011 and 2012 to provide a “one stop shop” for a variety of human service needs through a number of different help organizations.
EACH is led by a steering committee of city and suburban church leaders. The initiative typically selects a 40-day period to be of service to the community, though there is no requirement that says helping the people of southeastern Michigan has to end on day #40. Most of the local church-based projects and actions are being coordinated by congregations and Christian organizations.
“As Christians we’re called to love one another, to pray for each other, and to serve one another”, said Chris Brooks, senior pastor of Evangel Ministries. “Our goals are simple and clear. We want everyone to have a chance to see and hear and feel God’s love for them.”
Check out the EACH website for the variety of service opportunities that are available to you. If your church has been or is an active participant in EACH, talk to your leaders about attending the unification event scheduled for March 13th from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Landmark Community Church, 24520 N. Chrysler Drive, Hazel Park.
At this important unification event, you will hear and pray for plans to move forward with regional strategies for October that will help people in Detroit and its surrounding suburbs. Click here to register for this very important unification event.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for your church. Show me how I can use my spiritual gifts, talents, abilities and resources to serve. Help me be a good steward of everything you have entrusted to me, so I can use it to further your kingdom. Inspire me with creative ways to bless Your people. Continually knit my heart closer together in fellowship with Jesus and others. In the Lord's name, I pray. Amen.
The tag on Twitter for this article is #EACH and it is logged by @denimartin. You can also comment on this article or send me an email at deni-martin@att.net.
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