Eat a PBJ and ministry to the homeless!

Tonight Wooster Grace sought to spread some Christmas Joy by hosting a Smucker Taste Panel.  Smucker's is donating all the proceeds from this event to the Haven of Rest Homeless Shelter for their Children's Christmas Program.  One hundred and ninety-two people from our church participated.  Children and students from ages 8-17 along with Adults ages 18-65 were part of the taste testing.

One of our attendees, Janese Woodward, gave me the final numbers. 192 people completed the taste panel. What a great event!  I enjoyed tasting peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for a great cause. I even have my lunch for tomorrow... BONUS!

The Haven of Rest Ministries is a great ministry.  As their website states, The Haven of Rest is a faith based rescue mission, serving as a light to the homeless community in and around the Akron Ohio area by offering food, shelter, safety, drug rehabilitation, and most of all hope to those most in need. Wooster Grace raised $3600 to help with the Children's Christmas Program at Haven of Rest Ministries.


As Matthew 25:35 states, "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in."  I prasie God for our commitment to help those in need in a fun, unique way.  Way to go Wooster Grace!

Talking to the world on SKYPE

If you need to talk to people on an international scale or even a national scale, SKYPE is a great option.  I recommend it for churches to stay in contact with their missionary partners. 

Technology is incredible.  But It can also be very distracting.  I must use discernment when I get to use a new technology.  I must answer the question: "Is it a tool or a toy?"

Brian Bailey and Terry Storch offer insight here in their book, The Blogging Church (pp.13-14).  "A toy is something that you want to PLAY WITH more than you want to USE...A tool is something that SOLVES a problem (caps are my emphasis)." 

So as you begin to venture out and to begin finding technology that advertises itself as helpful. Keep asking the question over and over again.  "Will it be a tool or a toy?" 

One helpful technology is SKYPE. I spent 30 minutes talking with my friends in France.  It was six o'clock there and noon for me.  I caught up on what is going on and how I can pray.  And it was free. It was an online connection. All I needed was the software, a headset & microphone, and their contact information. 

What a great tool!  The problem SKYPE solves is cost for calling overseas or around the country.  Expenses can grow quickly.  But this tool helps you make calls without charge to those who have online access.  In fact, the cost may be low for making landline calls too. I have not used that feature yet.  Overall, I like SKYPE.  If you are in ministry where international calls are important. Then I suggest you test it out.  Add it to your ministry toolbox. 

Month of Compassion

Wooster Grace has set aside the month of November to target compassion endeavors.  Last Sun (Nov 8) we targeted orphans and widows.  This coming Sun we focus on the persecuted church.  On the 22nd we emphasize NMPs and the Day of Generosity.  On the 29th we highlight medical missions.  So please pray for God to work in everyone who comes to our services.  We want everyone to act in service and generosity from a passionate heart of compassion; because  God is the source of our passion and our compassion.  


This coming Sunday focuses on the persecuted Church.  Here is a video that answers what is persecution.  Thanks. to Open Doors USA for putting this together.