9.26.23
Hey, Calvary Fremont –
How many outreaches do we have at our church? About 200. Let me explain. Do I mean that we have 200 organized, funded, targeted, advertised and promoted outreaches? No. I mean that we have about 200 teens and adults who are born-again, instructed from the Scripture, seek to live in the power of the Holy Spirit, and desire to be used of God. About 200 people walk out our doors on Sunday morning to be salt and light and witnesses to Jesus in our community. I believe that every person in the church is to be an ambassador of Christ, reaching out to those without Christ. Does everyone in the church have this mindset and walk in this understanding? No, not yet!
In the last 24 hours, three instances of this kind of outreach have come to my attention. Three buildings down from us is the Ibrahim Khalilullah Mosque – the Abraham Friend of God Mosque. Fremont has a sizeable Muslim population with many mosques. Across from the mosque is the Ta’leef Collective. Ta’leef is an Arabic word meaning ‘to bring together.’ Their mission is to be Muslim evangelists to Americans and to reenergize nominal Muslims. There is a master jiu jitsu instructor in our church and he told me just last night that he has been employed by them for years now to teach them the basics of self-defense. He has spent countless hours among them teaching at the building down the driveway from us and on retreats that Ta’leef sponsors in the Santa Cruz Mountains. He informs his students – adults and youth, Muslims and seekers – that he is a Christian, a follower of the New Testament Jesus, not the Quranic Isa. He has been a faithful witness to Christ in a place that is hostile to the Jesus of the Bible.
There is a high school teacher at the church who is very popular with the kids. I heard just this morning that the most kids go to her class during what is called Flex Period and that she reads the Bible. Yes, this is a public high school. She is a faithful witness to Christ in a place of darkness and confusion.
Just yesterday afternoon, on Sunday (I’m writing this on a Monday), my Indian landlord came over to tweak our automatic garage door. I was able to ask him about the practice of Hinduism in America, the state of his faith, and his belief in reincarnation. I was able to bear witness to the resurrection of Jesus and the hope we have in Christ.
I was so blessed to hear about and participate in these examples of a gospel lifestyle that have been ongoing in the lives of those who call Calvary Chapel Fremont their home. And I know of many other faithful witnesses to the reality of Christ that are lived out day-in and day-out.
I think organized evangelistic outreaches are good and are necessary in a gospel oriented church. In fact, in 11 days, we are going to have Men’s Conference totally dedicated to training men how to share their faith. And then those who so desire will hit the streets with the evangelism training team to put into practice some of the tools we will have learned. Planned evangelism events, short-term missions’ trips, concerts, outreach to the homeless, etc. are all the church in action. Yet please don’t forget that each and every one of you is not just an outreach of this church, but of the Church of Jesus Christ – of Christ Himself. How many outreaches do we have at Calvary Fremont? About 200.
Be blessed and stay healthy and follow Jesus – Pastor Tim
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