Community
Outreach & Evangelism
"Love never fails." I Cor 13:8a
Our team's passion is to see this city's heart turned to the Lord. We
realize that in order to see that happen, we must build relationships
with the organizations and people of Austin.We will do as Jesus did and
take His love to the streets, into the neighborhoods and communities.
We need to demonstrate what we have professed out of our mouths. We
must tell what we have learned as it applies to the good news of the
gospel of Jesus Christ. Our heart is to see entire neighborhoods and
communities walking in the light of Christ, sharing His love and His
message with everyone we meet.
Reaching Our Neighborhood Through
"Operation Backyard"
Building relationships with our
neighbors and showing them the way of salvation has been an area of
focus this summer in our own backyard. We have been able to lead
some to Christ and give some Spanish Bibles. Many do not speak
English and the Lord has used our Spanish speaking congregation to
reach out with the hope that only knowing Jesus can give.
Not only are we evangelising but we are discipling the ones who have
accepted Christ. And, we are not giving up on the ones who have
not accepted him.
If you would like to join us in "Operation Backyard" please call
512-451-8260, or see the calendar on the website for corporate
evangelism days and times.
Adopt a Policeman
On
Sunday, Sept. 18, 2005 the Community Outreach Team of Arise hosted a
reception to for officers and their families from the North Command
Area. Bibles were given to each officer who attended and a committment
to pray for them and their families daily was made.
Chief of Police Stanley Knee attended and received his Police Officer's
Bible and blessings from Apostles Vance and Debbie Russell. Commander
Gross received a special plague designed by artist Mike Wall with a
police officers badge. The families of Arise were blessed in having the
opportunity to fellowship with the officers.
Here the latest letter received from our great friends at the North Central Austin Police Department...
Dear Betty,
I love the fact that my job with NC was able to connect me with
wonderful people that care about making a difference in the lives of
others. The members of Arise Christian Fellowship have proven to be
givers and caretakers, never expecting anything in return which is very
rare in today's society when there are a lot of groups out there that
expect a lot in return for anything the do for anyone. It is rare to
find people like you who are true givers and care about everyone
equally, thank you for praying for these guys--our police men and
women, who don't get recognized very often for the every day good they
do, but do get chastised or judged the minute something goes wrong.
There are always two sides of the story, and that is something that a
lot of people forget. They only see what the media pushes in our faces
and never look at the entire picture, but like everywhere else, there
is always one bad apple in a barrel of good apples that spoils
everything for the whole bunch. Unfortunately.....but, you are here to
remember the ones who don't get spoiled and keep their spirits up.
Thank you!!! I will try to keep in touch and hopefully after my baby
gets here I will get moving and get my family active in church and like
you said, it's important to be with other people to celebrate faith,
love, and forgiveness that religion brings to our lives.
Thanks and I will keep in touch,
Marissa Clifton
Administrative Assistant to Commander Albert Eells
Austin Police Department (North Central)
APD 'Operation Restore Hope'
"Do not become overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12: 21
We are partnering with the Austin Police Department North Central
Command's "Operation Restore Hope". The police officers' goal is to
make dangerous neighborhoods safe and restore hope by helping the
residents clean up debris and take pride in their communities. Arise is
a part of this team as front line prayer warriors in this city. We
physically help clean up debris and spiritually support them through
prayer. We created an Adopt a Police Officer initiative that includes
adopting individuals for prayer. We have also purchased Bibles and
committed to the officers to pray for them and their families.
We know that prophetically, as the Lord moves through this city, many
things are going to change as He sets up His government. The police
officers will naturally be first to experience what God is doing in
this city. They need to know that as citizens, we support them both in
the Spirit and in the natural.
Capitol City Rehab visits
"The greatest among you will be your servant." Matthew 23: 11
The key to demonstrating the Kingdom of God is by serving others. The
team regularly goes to Capitol City Rehab, a nursing home in our local
community, to serve the residents in different ways. Our goal is to
demonstrate to them that they are not forgotten, to minister the love
of Christ to each one individually, share the good news of the gospel
of Jesus and to bring life to these precious people.
Summer 2005
This summer the community outreach team sponsored a fashion show at
Capital City Nursing Facility. Clothes, jewelry and hats were donated
from Catherine's to the ladies at Capital City and the men models were
blessed with new outfits and haircuts. The outreach team which included
some of our youth and children modeled along with the ladies and
gentlemen of Capital City. The women had facials done before the
fashion show. It was a grand ole' time for our forgotten elderly. They
were able to keep what had been donated to them.
The outreach team meets at Capital City monthly for one hour to bless
the residents with different events and/or ministries. Click here for our calendar to join us on our next visit.
Healing Team
"Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you", and their sight was restored." Matthew 9: 29, 30a
The Healing team has been effective in going into homes, hospitals, and
nursing homes within the Austin area, praying for healing and salvation
to come to individuals and families. We have been experiencing
miraculous results. When a call comes in for someone to go and pray for
an individual, the Healing team responds by praying first and seeking
the Holy Spirit for direction.
The
Community Outreach team's vision is exalting the name of Jesus in every
area of the city by demonstrating His love for all and
sharing our testimony with all who will listen. We believe that
as we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and are submitted to the
Lord and to those He has placed in authority over us, this will surely
be accomplished.
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