Actions, Then Words.
"Church" is starting to be the topic in Bozeman these days. In the last month group 's of 10,20,30 or more have decided that the "church" has given itself a bad name for far to long in Bozeman. They have started to do some amazing things to let people know that church is a good thing, that church isn't a building, that church isn't about money. They strive to tell people the real meaning of church. Church to them is a way of life. Church is loving God, and when you love God you do what the Bible tells you. Why? Because it is God's word. The word tells us to love people so they do. The word says to serve as Jesus did. So they serve. They came up with this crazy way of thinking. Love God, Love People, Serve others. Crazy I know, but that's not the craziest part, the craziest part is, its working!!!
My family and I over the last month have gotten together with a bunch of other amazing people here in Bozeman and have taken those three key components and used them to remodel homes for single mom's, cook over 45 meals that are brought over hot and ready to families who need a warm meal. Held an Easter Egg scramble for children in a rough part of town. Blessing them and their parents with toys, candy, gift cards, time and fellowship. We discounted gas for anyone that showed up at the gas pump on a Saturday afternoon. Every night of the week at least 3-4 families are having a new person over to dinner. Whether its another family, college student, homeless person, or neighbor. We are intentional about being a part of people's lives, because God is intentional about being apart of our lives. We don't do this so that people see Venture "church". We do this so that people see Jesus Christ through our actions and love for them.
We don't do any kind of name dropping at Venture. The only name that gets dropped around Venture is Jesus, and its to thank him for letting us be a part of an amazing movement that brings Him all the glory. The best part about giving the glory to Jesus is that the people you serve do the name dropping for you. They call news crews, news papers and radio stations to interview us. Companies have called and asked if they can partner with us. At first I thought it was strange, then I realized that what I believed from the beginning was true, people want to hear about the love of Jesus. People who have been blessed want to tell someone, so they call news crews to have them tell the community about how they have been blessed. Then when the news crew shows up, we get to tell them about how we have been blessed to serve these people because we Love God, Love People and Serve Others.
I don't write you this to brag about what we as a group of people are doing. I am writing to tell you that God can use you to do the same. If you stop focusing on bringing people to a building, and started focusing on being a part of their community. Go to them and love them, serve them and in return God will bless you.
I met with a friend for coffee yesterday and we got to talking about his email address montana4christ. I asked him why that email? He told me he gives his email out to his coworkers and tells them if they need anything to email him. That he wants them to see his email and know what he stands for. I told him i'm glad that I get to be a part of a body of believers who take what they believe seriously. Serious enough to make public that he wants to see all of Montana won to Christ. It gets me excited to see people take Jesus seriously. When we meet we also pray for all his coworkers that they see Jesus through his attitude and work ethic. That they will come to know Jesus for themselves. That is one example of how we will win Bozeman and Montana for Christ.
Who are you wanting to come to know Christ? Is it your mom, dad, coworker, brother, sister,or friend? Maybe you need to know who Jesus is? If its for you or someone else I challenge you to start to pray. Pray God will open your eyes to the love of Jesus. Pray God will open their eyes to see the love of Jesus. Pray, and I promise you God will start to show up in your life and these people's lives you are praying for. I know this because God will start to change your heart and you will want to love people in a new way. You will see hurting and want to help. You will start to serve people just because. You will start to be the church through your actions then words.
May God Bless You
Peace out and God Bless
Andy
My family and I over the last month have gotten together with a bunch of other amazing people here in Bozeman and have taken those three key components and used them to remodel homes for single mom's, cook over 45 meals that are brought over hot and ready to families who need a warm meal. Held an Easter Egg scramble for children in a rough part of town. Blessing them and their parents with toys, candy, gift cards, time and fellowship. We discounted gas for anyone that showed up at the gas pump on a Saturday afternoon. Every night of the week at least 3-4 families are having a new person over to dinner. Whether its another family, college student, homeless person, or neighbor. We are intentional about being a part of people's lives, because God is intentional about being apart of our lives. We don't do this so that people see Venture "church". We do this so that people see Jesus Christ through our actions and love for them.
We don't do any kind of name dropping at Venture. The only name that gets dropped around Venture is Jesus, and its to thank him for letting us be a part of an amazing movement that brings Him all the glory. The best part about giving the glory to Jesus is that the people you serve do the name dropping for you. They call news crews, news papers and radio stations to interview us. Companies have called and asked if they can partner with us. At first I thought it was strange, then I realized that what I believed from the beginning was true, people want to hear about the love of Jesus. People who have been blessed want to tell someone, so they call news crews to have them tell the community about how they have been blessed. Then when the news crew shows up, we get to tell them about how we have been blessed to serve these people because we Love God, Love People and Serve Others.
I don't write you this to brag about what we as a group of people are doing. I am writing to tell you that God can use you to do the same. If you stop focusing on bringing people to a building, and started focusing on being a part of their community. Go to them and love them, serve them and in return God will bless you.
I met with a friend for coffee yesterday and we got to talking about his email address montana4christ. I asked him why that email? He told me he gives his email out to his coworkers and tells them if they need anything to email him. That he wants them to see his email and know what he stands for. I told him i'm glad that I get to be a part of a body of believers who take what they believe seriously. Serious enough to make public that he wants to see all of Montana won to Christ. It gets me excited to see people take Jesus seriously. When we meet we also pray for all his coworkers that they see Jesus through his attitude and work ethic. That they will come to know Jesus for themselves. That is one example of how we will win Bozeman and Montana for Christ.
Who are you wanting to come to know Christ? Is it your mom, dad, coworker, brother, sister,or friend? Maybe you need to know who Jesus is? If its for you or someone else I challenge you to start to pray. Pray God will open your eyes to the love of Jesus. Pray God will open their eyes to see the love of Jesus. Pray, and I promise you God will start to show up in your life and these people's lives you are praying for. I know this because God will start to change your heart and you will want to love people in a new way. You will see hurting and want to help. You will start to serve people just because. You will start to be the church through your actions then words.
May God Bless You
Peace out and God Bless
Andy
I'm both challenged and encouraged by the hearts that you guys have, and absolutely love seeing the fruit of our passions!
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