Three years ago, Dalmar moved...
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Three years ago, Dalmar moved to the United States from his native Africa. He witnessed
the horrible genocide in his country. He welcomed a new life and a fresh start in a new
country. Along his journey he became a Christian. He saw the powerful witness of
Christians risking their own lives to bring about justice in his country. He began reading
about Jesus and soon became a believer.
Once established in a new home he began visiting churches. For the most part, he felt welcome in the churches he attended. However, he felt that something was missing. It became apparent that most of the churches were not concerned with helping other people but were more concerned with meeting their own needs. As he read the gospels he could not understand how these people could claim to be followers of Jesus and not care for the plight of the poor living in their community.
Eventually, Dalmar joined a church with an inner city ministry, which provides breakfast and tutoring programs for school students. People from the church help find jobs for people by providing training as well as babysitting. What impressed him the most was that the entire church was involved in ministry, from the youngest to the oldest. That was the kind of church that Dalmar was looking for -- one that touches the lives of people in need.
Jesus warns, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven." Our faith calls us to action.
Once established in a new home he began visiting churches. For the most part, he felt welcome in the churches he attended. However, he felt that something was missing. It became apparent that most of the churches were not concerned with helping other people but were more concerned with meeting their own needs. As he read the gospels he could not understand how these people could claim to be followers of Jesus and not care for the plight of the poor living in their community.
Eventually, Dalmar joined a church with an inner city ministry, which provides breakfast and tutoring programs for school students. People from the church help find jobs for people by providing training as well as babysitting. What impressed him the most was that the entire church was involved in ministry, from the youngest to the oldest. That was the kind of church that Dalmar was looking for -- one that touches the lives of people in need.
Jesus warns, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven." Our faith calls us to action.
