Members of Matthew’s House in Durango are on a Kingdom Assignment to build relationships with local residents and help spread the Gospel Across Colorado.
This spring, Matthew's House, inaugurated a playful and creative strategy to engage our culture and help people rethink the meaning of Jesus. Our strategy is called the Kingdom Assignment, which is part of a movement born out of Coast Hills Community Church in California.
In April our church walked through a series of sermons focusing exclusively on the parable of the Talents (see Matthew 25:14-30). During one of the worship services, we asked for volunteers to help with an assignment. In all, we had twelve people volunteers. Each volunteer was handed a $100 bill.To say the least, people were surprised!
Volunteers were given the following instructions. “Here’s what I need to tell you about this experiment. First, this is the Master’s money. It is God’s. He is entrusting you with it because He loves you and believes in you. Second, if you choose this assignment, understand that this money is for advancing the kingdom of God beyond the walls of the church. You need to ask God to show you what you are supposed to do. Third, in ninety days, report on what happened.”
People were overwhelmed and excited by this opportunity. Immediately, stories emerged. As this article is being written, volunteers are midway through the 90 days of the Kingdom assignment. Even though the assignment deadline is not yet realized, opportunities of engagement with the community are happening!
One volunteer, a college student, felt God calling him to start a massive clothes drive. He has gone to several businesses in Durango and asked to set up boxes for the clothes drive. As the clothes come in, he passes them along to shelters in our area. What is most exciting is the increased opportunity for conversation. People want to know why this young man is doing this. When he tells them about the Kingdom Assignment, they are forced to rethink the Gospel.
Another couple found a gentleman stranded in Durango. He needed work on his truck. As they talked with him, they discovered that he was from the same small town they came from in Texas! They knew this wasn’t a coincidence. They gave him the $100 bill and explained what they were doing. He was amazed!
One volunteer, who is a new Christian, set up a tent at her home in the back yard. She designated this tent as a place for anyone who needed temporary shelter. Particularly, people she knew, who were caught up in the party-scene, were a main concern. She knew they didn’t need to be driving after hitting the bar-scene, so she provided a safe zone. Imagine how people are getting a unique glimpse of God’s love, even as they struggle with sin. This tent has become a place of grace, namely Jesus’ grace.
One volunteer is using his $100 bill to make a series of videos for help people learn about Jesus. He is interviewing non-Christians on a multitude of subjects and creatively using the produced video as a tool of conversation in his approach to evangelism.
Another woman in our church is using her $100 to build a prayer shawl ministry. She has already made one shawl that was sent to Nicaragua with a mission team and delivered to a pastor’s wife. A global blessing!
Some, who didn’t get the $100 bill have jumped in, too. Several men and women in our church feel burdened for the young college students that struggle while living in Durango. They have the vision for starting a group of community houses that can serve as safe zones for students in need of spiritual care and guidance. This is a kingdom assignment that is in the works!
Others are contemplating ways they can use their resources to help and bless others. One doctor in our church, who works with Native Americans in our area, got the assignment. She is exploring how to form a foundation that can provide financial resources for young mother’s who need counseling after losing an infant to SIDS.
The Kingdom Assignment is fun! People at Matthew’s House are talking it up. Sitting around at coffee shops, they brainstorm ways to connect and impact the community in the name of God. We’ve had non-Christians join in the conversation, too! They are intrigued and curious.
The above is a mere snapshot of a few stories. More will unfold in the days to come! For Matthew’s House, the Kingdom Assignment has inspired people act in the name of Jesus. Christ-followers in our church are realizing that nothing is stopping them from doing something in our community that has an amazing impact.They are feeling the unleashing power of Jesus in their lives. As you might expect, The Kingdom Assignment is transforming the way people see Jesus.
Across Colorado we are celebrating the life-changing power of the Gospel.
By presenting a series of four feature stories in this issue, we invite you to learn how Colorado Baptists are Praying, Engaging, Sowing and Harvesting through local church and outreach ministries supported by our State Missions Offering.
Please prayerfully consider a special financial gift to the 2009 State Missions offering so that we can continue the important work God has called us to do Across Colorado.
You may designate your gift “State Missions Offering” through your local church or mail it to: Colorado Baptists, State Missions Offering, 7393 South Alton Way, Centennial, CO 80112-2302.
Questions? Please call the Colorado Baptists office at 303.771.2480 or 1.888.771.2480 or visit ColoradoBaptists.org.
