General
Azalea Baptist Church has now concluded its portion of the N.E.S.T. (Norfolk Emergency Shelter Team) program. Nightly for one week our church has fed (supper and breakfast), sheltered and issued some clothing to between 50-54 homeless persons.
Most of these unfortunate persons have totally lost everything they may once have owned, their home, their loved ones and their jobs. Some fortunate few still have a job which provides them some money but not sufficient to fully make ends meet. Some of the homeless are sick and have no family to provide them even the simplest things of life.
It did my heart glad to see a young lady playing the card game “Crazy Eights” with one or more of our guests (and winning most of the time). For hours I observed two young men playing chess on a board provided them. One young man was teaching another the game. Other members of our church sat down and talked with and listened to those less fortunate than themselves.
I can not name all the persons participating during our church’s N.E.S.T. week but there were many. It made me proud to see our young people helping to cook, serve the food and clean up the kitchen. Many adults that were scheduled for certain hours came in early. Some came and stayed to help out were never scheduled but saw a need and responded positively.
Many members of our church came and gave of their time and of themselves to help those person and to fulfill the commandment of our Lord, “…to love one another as I have loved you.”
Youth Sunday
God Is Our Hope For Every Day
Today (January 25), I was exhilarated by my church’s worship service. At least eighteen youths (teenagers) held separate parts in leading the congregation in their worship of God. More young people (a total of 25) assisted through their singing songs in praise of the Lord. Two teens gave a reflective skit of the Lord’s Prayer. Through their words we were reminded that the Lord’s Prayer is not to be said by rote. Instead we must be aware of what is being said to our Lord and Creator and the meaning of the words we utter.
Two youths gave their testimonies of what being a Christian meant to them. To me it was very gratifying to hear their talk. It deeply illustrated that not all our young people are going to hell in a hand basket. While we only heard from two youths I feel certain that the whole group had similar stories to tell us.
Two young men sang solo songs, “I Will Lift My Eyes” and “Give Me Your Eyes.” While I feel certain they were nervous, both of those young men sang their song with feeling and as though they were praying to God for Him to allow each of them to see as Jesus would have us see. I pray their prayers are answered.
Finally, one of the youth leaders, Melinda Saunders made her closing remarks. Though she said that she had not intended to give her testimony, because of the level of service the youths of Azalea Baptist Church had just conducted she did give her testimony. She informed us what lead her into leading young people to learn about and worship the Lord. The service our youths gave to us proved Melinda’s leadership. But Melinda is not alone with the young people; Archie Parks, Brian Barnes and Tammy Jewel are working with her to work wonders with our youth. They all have well served the Lord.
The theme for our service was: God is Our Hope for Every Day. That theme was achieved with great success.
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