By Greg Miller © 2019

Pastor James, who served as the pastor of a congregation with a huge evangelism emphasis, was pleased that the church had commissioned a new church in a neighboring community.

The new ministry, which the church had planned for about two years, would provide worship services, food distribution and assistance in paying utility bills. Pastor James’ brother, Pastor Jeremiah, was chosen to serve as the pastor of the new ministry.

Pastor James’ wife, Jeanine, and Pastor Jeremiah’s wife, Janice, were spearheading the food distribution and utility bill payments. Jeanine was in charge of the drive to raise money for the utility payments, while Janice was in charge of collecting non-perishable food items for distribution to the community. Both Jeanine and Janice co-hosted a monthly prayer vigil for participants to pray for God’s blessings on all aspects of the new ministry.

Jerald, a reporter for the local newspaper, decided to write a series of articles on the new ministry, as well as the congregation which sponsored the new outreach. In order to get a better feel for the stories he was writing, Jerald rotated attendance at the two congregation’s mid-week services. He also interviewed each pastor at least once a week for input into the stories. Jerald’s wife, Jeraldine, provided moral support for her husband’s journalism efforts, proofreading his stories for him. Also, she usually told him, “Great job, Jerald! Your stories always lift up Jesus Christ. That’s what I like so much about your work!”

Jerald took lots of notes, and he also recorded the services on a recording app he downloaded onto his cell phone. The recordings ensured greater accuracy in the quotes he used in his stories.

Jerald was passionate about the stories he wrote, because he desperately wanted the newspaper’s subscribers to have a favorable impression of God. “My number one goal is to lift up the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,” he told Jasmine, the newspaper’s editor. “I figure if I exalt the name of Jesus, everything else will work out okay. The newspaper and the churches will all be abundantly blessed.”

The two sister congregations were pleased with Jerald’s efforts in promoting their work, so they wanted to honor him with a special dinner. The dinner was held at a popular steakhouse, and people from both congregations attended the celebration.

“Thanks for this honor, Pastor James,” said Jerald. “I’m humbled by the ministry your churches are getting done.”

“We’re only getting the work done because the Lord is working through us,” said Pastor James.

“That’s right,” said Pastor Jeremiah. “And because God is using you as an instrument of ministry to this community.”

“I’m surprised,” said Jerald. “And I didn’t think I even knew how to play a musical instrument!”

To contact the writer of this column about speaking engagements (in the U.S.A.), including Christian Comedy Fundraising Outreaches, Christian Creativity Seminars and/or puppet ministry, please type “Speaking Engagements” in the subject line and e-mail [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected].

By Greg Miller  2018

 Greg is retired from the Elizabethton STAR Newspaper, after working there for almost 23 years. He now freelances for the paper. Contact email address is [email protected], also facebook.com/kidcool4jesus. Available for speaking engagements/other ministries. Jesus is Lord