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http://www.goshenassociation.com/

Goshen Baptist Association, 587 Mica Road (PO Box 296), Mineral, VA (2026)

11/20/2025

The Story of the Armenia Family Photo Tree: Welcome Home!

By Nikisha Diggs ~ member of the 2024 & 2025 Goshen mission teams to Armenia

A family tree is an inspiring visual representation that beautifully illustrates the connections and lineage among family members across generations. A family tree becomes a powerful tool for understanding familial lineage and preserving family history, ensuring the legacy endures for future generations.
Additionally, various cultures have drawn upon the metaphor of a tree and its branches, emphasizing the interconnections of family members and the importance of nurturing these bonds over time.
After returning from my first mission trip to Armenia, I faced a series of significant challenges. A sudden stroke hit me hard, reminding me how fragile life can be. This was made worse by the painful loss of several family members, especially my beloved mother. Her unexpected death caused our family tree to be broken.
Yet, during this turmoil, the family of God became my anchor. They enveloped me in their love, interceding for me with fervent prayers, while lovingly providing meals to nourish my body and spirit during my recovery. As if a lifeline had been thrown to me, my beloved family in Armenia sent a touching prayer video, a meaningful reminder of the steadfast support that stretched across miles, lifting my spirits higher. It was in those moments that I felt an undeniable truth: from God comes all things, and to Him, all things shall return. He remains worthy of all glory, even amidst life’s trials.
When the opportunity arose for me to return to Armenia a second time, my heart leaped at the thought; there was no need for persuasion. Deep within me, it was clear that I needed to go back, not solely to immerse myself once again in the rich culture and warm embraces of my Armenian family, but to express my deepest gratitude for their prayers. I felt compelled to bear witness to the mighty strength found in the prayers of the righteous, which have the extraordinary power to change everything. Prayers can move mountains, shatter barriers, and empower us to navigate the turbulent waters of life, even when storm clouds gather unexpectedly.
Hallelujah, God! I am back in Armenia, and before we eat our first meal in Sisian, one of my sisters leads me to a family tree of photos. The family photo tree was created from a melody of memories from our last visit with them. This was a welcome home moment I needed. Remember, the branches of my tree were broken from grief, but God used the family of God to restore my broken branches. Seeing those photos gave me joy that the world didn’t give and the world couldn’t take away.
I will forever cherish the moments spent embracing my little brothers and sisters, sharing joy through song and dance. It was a privilege to minister through music at both Pastor Vardan’s and Pastor Hrach’s churches. The children’s voices inspired me as they sang. They fervently prayed and shared what they learned about Jesus. Witnessing them boldly proclaim their faith and invite others to hear the gospel was truly uplifting.
For our Hallelujah Day celebration, we provided vibrant Hallelujah shirts for the children. The sight of those bright shirts parading through their community was nothing short of God’s glory. Truly, all things come from You, and to You all things return; You deserve all the glory God for the welcome home celebration this year in Armenia.
I encourage you to pray for me and the 2026 mission team as we prepare to serve through prayer, word, and deed. We’re determined to help provide the necessary financial resources for purchasing heating units for their churches before winter sets in. I invite you to join us in prayer to make this goal a reality…

You are invited to Mineral Baptist Church
on Saturday, December 27th at 4 p.m.
to raise funds to purchase heating units in Armenia.

Will you be part of the next mission trip to
Armenia July 30-August 10, 2026?
To learn more about the 2026 Armenia mission teams:
Sisian ~ Pastor Vardan & Lusine (VBS, Construction, & working with the Refugees)
Armavir ~ Pastor Hrach and Anahit (VBS & Construction)
Contact Kris: [email protected]

All people interested in becoming part of the 2026 Mission Team to Armenia should come to the Goshen Ministry Center (587 Mica Road, Mineral) at 6 p.m. on Thursday, December 11. Even if you are undecided ~ come.

To request a mission team guest speaker for your church event, to become a prayer partner of the 2026 team, for info on funding an Armenian project, or to supplement the support of our two Armenian church planters, contact the Goshen Ministry Center at [email protected] or 540.894.8440

Photos by Kelly Taylor

10/29/2025

Tales from Armenia: The Girl With The Sunglasses

Memories of Rev. Kris Hutchinson (Mission Team leader for 2023, 2024, 2025 and signed up to lead 2026 as well). Kris is the pastor of Mineral Baptist Church and the Missions Chairman for Goshen Baptist Association.

This past July, I ventured out on my third mission trip to Armenia. I cannot explain it, but it feels like going home.

I have grown to love this place, my experiences there, and the people.

Over the past three summers, I have been on nine mission trips to six different places, and Armenia was the one I could not wait to return to.

I spent time looking back at old pictures and watching videos, replaying memories as I counted down the days to return.

Growing up, I was exposed to missions and missionaries my entire life, and I inherited a travel bug from my mother. I've always wanted to go somewhere new.

So I admit that over the years I hesitated at long-term partnerships, maybe even dismissing them as boring or repetitive. I heard stories of people growing weary of going to the same place year after year, though others raved about returning. Until now, I had never understood why.

I had always bounced from one ministry location to another, wanting to give students and adults a variety of experiences. Then Armenia showed up.

Vardan and Lusine showed up.

Martin, Hamest, and Astxik showed up.

Suzi and Marcella, our translators, showed up.

Miriam and Anna showed up.

Anahit, Nare, Nare, Silvi, Yva, Ina, and many others showed up.

And NANE showed up.

This is the story I want to tell. Nane is a young girl I first encountered in 2024. It all started over my sunglasses.

For some reason, she was obsessed with my sunglasses. Toward the end of the week (in 2024), she began taking them from me and putting them on. There is even a video of her mimicking me taking my sunglasses off while leaning against a tree.

That is when we connected!

I went home and constantly thought about getting back to Armenia the next year. I couldn't wait to see Nane again. She had become like a little sister (or maybe daughter) to me.

Finally, it was time to return to Armenia this year, and we arrived to a homecoming party. Vardan and Lusine had decorated the outside of the church, and even our team members on their first trip said, "This feels like a family reunion." For me, it was.

There is something truly amazing about Vardan and Lusine in Sisian. But it is not just them. It is their entire community. Their children Martin and Hamest, Vardan's sister-in-law Astxik, and many others who chipped in to make us feel comfortable and cared for.

But there was one "family" member I was anxiously waiting to see again. VBS is not like it is here where people register ahead of time and you know who is coming. Would Nane be there? Would she remember me? As we were preparing for the first day, I heard some footsteps coming up the stairs and there she was!

Our eyes locked. For a split second, we both froze. Then her face broke into the biggest grin I'd ever seen, and we were running toward each other before either of us could think.

That led to an entire week of constant laughter, pictures, high fives, and dancing during the music time. We spent all week together. And she took my sunglasses every day as she continued her obsession with them.

I made the decision at the end of the week to give the sunglasses to her. Leaving this time was the hardest it has ever been!

I wrote about this experience in more depth on my personal ministry site: https://www.krishutchinson.net/post/the-joy-of-giving-sunglasses-generosity-and-god-s-greatest-gift

Nane captures what partnership missions is all about. Missions is not about projects. Missions is about people. And the partnership is bearing fruit. Since we left in July, two refugees have joined Vardan's church in Sisian. And this impact is what we are inviting you to be a part of.

In 2026, we’ll return to Armenia not only to Sisian, but also to Armavir to reconnect with Hrach, our brother and church planter there.

Recently, the Goshen Missions Committee voted unanimously to extend our partnership with Armenia through 2029. I plan to go every year. My prayer is that God will let me watch Nane grow up, see her put her faith in Jesus, and continue walking alongside our Armenian brothers and sisters in the gospel.

Next summer (2026), we plan to send two teams to Armenia, traveling as one group. Once we arrive, one team will serve in Armavir with Hrach through VBS and construction, while the other will return to Sisian for VBS, construction, and refugee ministry.

Here's how you can be part of this story:

Join us in 2026 for Goshen's Mission Team to Armenia. Dates are Thursday, July 30 - Monday, August 10, 2026. The cost is $2,000. There will be two teams traveling together at the same time. One part of the team will minister in Armavir with Pastor Hrach and Anahit (this team will be doing a lot of construction projects and VBS); and the second part of the team will be traveling to the southern region to Sisian to work with Pastor Vardan and Lusine (this team will be doing VBS, construction, and ministering to the refugees). Contact information is below if you would like more information.

We are also seeking commitments for supplemental financial support for 2027, 2028, and 2029 for Hrach and Vardan. Each commitment is $200 per year. You may make as many commitments as you feel led. You may also pay the total amount up front if that is what you would like to do.

Partnership missions don’t just change the lives of those we serve. They change us too. There’s a community in Armenia waiting to welcome you home.

Will you be part of the next trip? Who knows, maybe you’ll meet your own Nane, the one God has placed in front of you to love and share Jesus with.

To learn more about joining the 2026 Armenia mission team, contact me at [email protected].

To request a speaker to come and share with your church or church group about their experiences on the 2025 Mission Team to Armenia, to become a prayer partner for the 2026 Mission Team, or to learn how you can support our Armenian church planters, reach out to the Goshen office at [email protected].

10/28/2025

Goshen Fall Meeting at Wallers Baptist on Tuesday, October 28, 2025

05/16/2025

Vacation Bible Schools within Goshen Baptist Association (These churches submitted information and are by order of dates)

Antioch VBS: “The Twelve Disciples” June 2-6 (9 a.m.-noon). This is their first VBS in quite a few years.

Gordonsville VBS: June 15-20 (9 a.m.-noon) theme: “Magnified - Made to Magnify God.” (303 W. Gordon Ave., Gordonsville)

Mount Gilead VBS: June 16-19 (6:30-8:30 p.m.), theme: “Road Trip” for preschool - 5th grade. (4768 Shannon Hill Road, Columbia)

Perkins VBS: June 16-20 (8:45-noon), theme: “Magnified” by Lifeway for ages 3 and up. (3146 Hadensville-Fife Road, Goochland)

Oakland VBS: ice cream social June 20 (6:30 p.m.) & VBS Sat., June 21 (9 a.m.—2 p.m.) & Sun (11 a.m. during svc). Theme: “Egypt— Joseph’s Journey from Prison to Palace.” (2965 Oakland Church Rd, Gum Spring) www.oakland-baptist.com

Mineral VBS: June 23-27 (9-11:45), theme: “True North—Trusting Jesus in a Wild World” for ages 3 - completed 5th grade. Pre-registration available at www.mineralbaptistchurch.org (51 Louisa Ave., Mineral)

Mine Road VBS: June 23-27 (9 a.m.-noon.), theme: “Magnified-the bigness of God in the little things (11111 Post Oak Road, Spotsylvania)

North Pamunkey VBS: June 23-27 (6-8:30 p.m.), theme: “Magnified” for preschool-teens. (15109 Pamunkey Ln, Orange)

Wallers VBS: June 24-27 (6 p.m.), theme: “True North” (4001 Partlow Road, Partlow)

Orange VBS: July 6-10 (6 p.m.), theme: “True North” for Kindergarten - 5th grade. (123 West Main St., Orange)

Louisa VBS: July 7-11 (5:30-8:30 p.m. - dinner provided), theme: “True North-Trusting Jesus in a Wild World” for ages 4 - 5th grade. Pre-registration: www.vbspro.events/p/louisabaptist. (305 E. Main St., Louisa)

Mechanicsville VBS: July 13-17 (6-8 p.m.) theme: “Magnified.” Registration available at www.mechbaptist.org (10200 Louisa Road, Gordonsville)

Dogwood VBS: July 16-18 (9 a.m.—noon) theme: “Magnified (Psalm 34:3) Discovering the Bigness of God in the Smallest of Things

05/16/2025

Make Disciples as You Go
By Rev. Kris Hutchinson
For years, Christians have looked for creative ways to share the Gospel both locally and globally. Missions organizations and denominations have even restructured themselves in pursuit of more effective outreach. Some say the biggest problem with the church today is that it’s no longer 1950, and we still try to do things the same way. I like to say, “The 1950 philosophies still work; they just need to be repackaged for 2025.”
Take small group ministry, for example. Today, we emphasize Bible study, accountability, fellowship, and service. But this isn’t new. It echoes the Sunday School model of the 1950s, where every class had an outreach director. The philosophy hasn’t changed—we’ve just rebranded it.
The same is true for missions. Ministries today highlight creative ways to meet people where they already are. Funny enough, that’s exactly what I grew up seeing in “resort and leisure ministries”—golf, beach, ski, and campground outreach. These ministries reached not just vacationers but also staff and workers in those locations.
Years ago, the North American Mission Board shifted focus from these models to prioritize church planting. That’s not a bad thing—but it's ironic that even in this shift, the goal remained the same: to reach people in their everyday contexts. One example is Fresh Expressions in Virginia.
So, what does this mean for you and me?
For me, it clicked during a mission trip to North Carolina. I was serving in ministries much like those back home, yet I wasn’t involved in them locally. I came back thinking: Why do I only live this way for one week a year?
As a former youth pastor, I understood that ministry happens where students are—schools, ball fields, and in the community. Now, as a senior pastor, I’ve kept the same mindset.
Jesus said in Matthew 28:19, “Therefore go and make disciples…” A better translation is “as you are going.” In other words, make disciples in the midst of your everyday life.
At a Goshen meeting in April 2024, I shared three simple ways to live this out—adapted from Ken Coleman’s Get Clear Assessment:
1. Do what you’re good at. Use your skills to serve others. A lawyer might offer pro bono services; a mechanic might help single moms with car repairs.
2. Do what you love. My dad loved golf and built an entire ministry around it—events, devotionals, and conversations on the course.
3. Do what matters to you. What breaks your heart? One couple in our church started a transitional housing ministry for people in crisis, helping with jobs, finances, and faith.
You might think, “I don’t have time or skills for something like that.” Here’s what I did:
· I started volunteering at RuraLove, a local ministry helping families in crisis.
· I began officiating high school sports, connecting me with hundreds of students, families, and community leaders.
· I started substitute teaching. This single decision reshaped my ministry, giving me access to hurting kids, struggling staff, and opportunities to be present in our community.
You don’t have to do what I did. But do something. David Platt once challenged believers to spend 2% of the year serving elsewhere—that’s just one week. What about the other 98%? That’s for local impact.
So get out of the church building. Be present in your community. Make disciples as you go.

05/16/2025

"A word with Dee"
By Dr. Dee Whitten
Director of Missions for Goshen Baptist Association
It is not difficult to find people who are very discouraged about life. Maybe that is true for you today. There are many people who are discouraged about their health. Maybe they just received a diagnosis that they were dreading.
Other people are discouraged about their marriage. The relationship with their spouse is falling apart, and it doesn’t seem like there is any way for them to fix the problem.
Still others are discouraged about their finances. Maybe they lost their job and are about to foreclose on their house.
Others are discouraged about a son or daughter who is rebellious and just won’t listen to reason. This teenager or young adult is determined to wreck their own life and the lives of those people around them.
It is so easy to find people who are very, very discouraged about life.
The most encouraging verse in the Bible is found in the book of Hebrews…chapter 13, verse 5. The Lord says to us:
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Actually, this verse contains compound negative and should be translated:
“I will never, no not ever, no never
leave you nor forsake you.”

The most important thing in all the world is to know that God is with you.

You can face any problem
You can overcome any challenge
You can endure any pain
You can make it through any day…
If you know that God is with you.

Jesus told his disciples after his resurrection, “Surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
As you face your challenges and trials today, remember that the God of the universe is with you. His presence makes all the difference in the world.
God is saying to you today, “I will never, no not ever, no never leave you nor forsake you.”
Many thanks to Pastor Keith Wollenberg for his excellent ministry during the past six years as our RuraLove Coordinator (one year as a volunteer and five years on staff). Keith has done an excellent job in this vital ministry! May 18 will be his final day serving in this capacity.
~ Dee

05/16/2025

Out of the Flames: A Legacy Reforged
By Rev. Kris Hutchinson, Pastor, Mineral Baptist Church
The first Thursday morning of every month, the pastors of the Goshen Baptist Association gather together for a time of food, fellowship, and prayer. As a younger pastor, my view of the significance and power of this regular event is a testimony in itself. But one of the things I value most is the friendships I’ve gained and the mentors who now surround me as I enter this new chapter of life and ministry.
One such mentor, Reverend Hubert Hart, stands out in particular.
A true man of God, Hubert has left a lasting legacy in the Goshen Association, having faithfully served multiple churches in the association for 56 years, starting May 10, 1969 (and has been a pastor for 64 years total).
That’s not a typo—he’s been pastoring for over six decades and currently serves as the pastor of Waldrop Baptist Church. He is a wealth of knowledge, faithfulness, and stories—and I’m incredibly grateful for the budding friendship we’ve formed over the past couple of years. He even participated in my installation service back in February, which was an honor I’ll never forget.
Anyone who knows Hubert knows he loves to tell stories—especially from his favorite high-top table at the Louisa McDonald’s. But this past month, instead of our regular pastors’ breakfast, Hubert invited us into a more sacred space: his home.
Now, that invitation may seem simple on the surface, but it carries deep meaning.
2024 was an incredibly difficult year for Hubert. On January 9, his beloved wife of 68 years, Lydia, went home to be with the Lord. Not long after, his house caught fire. He lost almost everything. Smoke filled his lungs, and he nearly died during a long recovery at VCU. By God’s grace, Hubert recovered—much to the amazement of his doctors, family and friends.
“Praise the Lord for your heart, Hubert,” said Dave Nelson, pastor at Smyrna Baptist Church. “You’ve been through much, and grown much, and we were all blessed because of it.”
Thanks to generous insurance coverage, Hubert’s home was rebuilt. So, he invited us over—not just to eat breakfast, but to bear witness to God’s restoration.
We gathered around his 17-foot solid walnut table—which he built himself and had to cut in half just to get it through the front door—and shared a breakfast prepared by his grandson Slate and Slate’s wife, Karen. Afterward, he gave us a tour of the house, showing us the new rooms, the kitchen, the walk-in pantry, and the seven sets of china he owned—six of which had belonged to Lydia. He pointed out the fireplace mantle, made from logs had been pulled from the South Anna River, and the bedroom window through which he escaped during the fire.
Jody F**g, Field Strategist for the Northern Region of the BGAV, was also in attendance that morning. She shared, “Hubert, thank you for your hospitality. The breakfast was delicious, and the fellowship and prayer were rich. So grateful for God’s provision and protection over you with the fire, and what a blessing to see how your home has been so beautifully restored.”
But of all the items in his home, one stood out above the rest: his Bible.
This Bible was brand new at the time of the fire. Originally brown, it survived the flames—completely intact. Not a single page was singed. The only “damage” was the cover, which turned black from soot. But it is fully usable and continues to be Hubert’s daily companion in the Word.
What a testimony to the endurance of God’s Word—literally, historically, and theologically.
Nikisha Diggs, Director of Music at Mineral Baptist Church and a good friend of mine, often reminds us that “God’s Word will not return void.” Hubert’s life proves that. His story of faithfulness, perseverance, and encouragement is a living picture of that promise.
Jody F**g also commented, “It’s amazing how at 88 years old he is still seeking God and letting God pour into his soul—basking in the Word and prayer for hours on end.”
Hubert’s heart for God, God’s Word, God’s shepherds—especially young pastors like me—and really, everyone he meets, is a legacy I strive to emulate in my own life and ministry. He’s left a mark on his family, his churches, and his community. Many pastors—including myself—count his friendship and mentorship as a tremendous blessing. He is a modern-day Paul to many of us Timothys.
In reflecting on everything, Hubert shared how the events of the past year have reminded him to stay focused on the right things. Not even Lydia—whom he deeply loved—takes priority over his devotion to the Lord.
Leaving a strong legacy of faith is one of the greatest things a Christian can strive for—and Hubert has done just that. Even though he came after the Hebrews 11 “roll call of faith,” I have no doubt Hubert is part of the great cloud of witnesses.
As Bryan Jones, Executive Director of the NorthStar Church Network, reminded us at the recent Goshen Spring Meeting, passing and receiving the baton of faith is crucial. The next generation should be ready to receive it with honor, and the generation before should be able to say, with pride, “They ran the race well.”
All in all, Hubert is a pastor, mentor, and friend—but more than that, he is a great man of faith. And I’m grateful that God has placed him in my life—for such a time as this.

05/16/2025

You are invited to the Goshen Commissioning Service for the 2025 Mission Team to Armenia. The service will be held at Mineral Baptist Church on Sunday, July 13 at 3 p.m.
in the sanctuary. Light refreshments will follow.
Goshen Baptist Association has a team of 14 volunteers from four of our Goshen churches which will be going to Armenia July 24-August 4 to share the love of Christ with the Armenians. The Mission Team will be working alongside our Armenian brothers and sisters in Christ and encouraging them in the mission and ministries which God has called them to within their community.
All are welcome and encouraged to send the Mission Team off with your prayers, love, and support by participating in this service.

06/01/2024

What would you say is your #1 fear in life?
Psychology Today Magazine conducted a survey recently in which they discovered the top fears of the average American in 2023. The top five on the list included the following:
#1 fear of change
#2 fear of loneliness
#3 fear of failure
#4 fear of rejection
#5 fear of uncertainty
Are any of those fears relevant to you?
Some of you are facing very real fears today because of the challenges confronting you in life:
For instance, maybe you face a fear of death because you have just been diagnosed with a serious illness.
Maybe you face a fear of financial disaster because you have lost your job.
Maybe you face a fear of loneliness and rejection because your spouse wants a divorce.
There is no doubt that the number one problem for most Americans is “fear.”
However, God tells us 352 times in the Bible to “fear not”…that means there is almost one “fear not” for every day of the year. ~ Dee

06/01/2024

PROPANE clothes dryers:
Maytag MGD6200KW-1 (7.0 cu ft)
LG DLGX7801WE (7.3 cu ft)
LG DLG7301WE (7.3 cu ft)
First come first served with cash only. No holds. You haul. $100 each. Each are new and boxes are still sealed. The only time to see them is when the store is open. RuraLove Thrift Store is located at 587 Mica Road, Mineral and is open on Wednesdays from 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

03/15/2024

“A Word with Dee”

Throughout our churches we have just completed the annual focus on Easter and the resurrection of Jesus. This is, by far, the most important event in the history of the world. In fact, the resurrection of Jesus is a subject on which every church should focus throughout the year. Every Sunday there should be an emphasis upon the resurrection within our churches, and every day the individual Christian should be reminded of the resurrection. This event is the cornerstone of our faith.
Here are some of the basic reasons why the resurrection of Jesus is such a critical part of our Christian faith:
1. The resurrection confirms that Jesus is the Son of God. In Romans 1:3-4 the Apostle Paul declares that “the Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.” There is no doubt that the resurrection of Jesus confirms the reality that Jesus is the Son of God.
2. The resurrection of Jesus also confirms our hope of life after death. The Apostle Paul boldly proclaims in I Corinthians 15:19-20 that “if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.” The resurrection of Jesus is the first fruits of our own resurrection from the dead.
3. The resurrection of Jesus also confirms that my sins and my failures have been removed. The Apostle Paul emphasizes this point when he says “and if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless, and you are still guilty of your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. ( I Corinthians 15: 17-20) It is because of the resurrection that we can know that our sins are washed away.
4. The resurrection confirms that I have the power to face my current challenges. The Apostle Paul declares in Philippians 3:10 “ I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death. 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! (Philippians 3:10-11). Because of the resurrection, we can experience the mighty power of God in our lives on a daily basis. That power is great enough so that we can face life’s challenges with confidence and peace.
~ Dee Whitten, Director of Missions

03/04/2024

"A Word With Dee" from March 2024 the Goshen News newsletter.
(Dr. Dee Whitten is the Director of Missions for Goshen Baptist Association)

About ten years ago Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon wrote an excellent book entitled “The Art of Neighboring.” The background story concerning this book goes back to the year 2009 when Dave and Jay gathered with about 20 pastors in the Denver area for their monthly pastor’s luncheon. The invited guest that day was the mayor of the small town outside of Denver where all of the pastors resided.
The major question for the mayor to answer on that occasion was “how can we as churches best work together to serve our city?” The mayor discussed a variety of the normal things that churches commonly do in order to meet the needs of people in the area (support the homeless shelter, food banks, etc.) Then, he paused for a few moments before he concluded his comments and finally said, “by far, the best thing that churches can do for our community is to teach your members to love their neighbors.”
After the mayor departed the meeting, the pastors sat still for a few moments before Jay spoke up and said, “it is embarrassing for the non-Christian mayor of our city to tell us that the best thing our churches can do for the community is to teach our folks to love their neighbors.”
So, these pastors organized some specific ways that church members could literally love their neighbors. This resulted in Jay and Dave writing the book entitled “The Art of Neighboring.” The basic idea is that when Jesus tells us to love our neighbor, maybe he means our literal neighbor…the person who lives next door.
Dave and Jay encourage us to learn the names of the eight neighbors who live closest to us. Then, we can pray for these neighbors on a daily basis and find ways that we can reach out in love to meet the needs of these neighbors. Ultimately, we can pray that God will give us an opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus with our neighbors in a very natural way. This is, by far, the best way to carry out evangelism in our churches today. If we want to reach our community for Christ, it can all begin with meeting the needs of our neighbors and loving our neighbors, just as Jesus commanded us.” ~ Dee

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