I received an e-mail last week from a pastor who has recently led his church through the Reaching the Summit process. As we walked through the process one action the church members realized was they were not actively engaged in the community. An outcome of that realization was each adult and youth Sunday School class adopted a street in the community directly connected to the church.

Each class has the freedom to reach out to and engage the residents in whatever way they desire. Thus allowing each class to use their strengths and gift mix appropriately. The concept laid out is to not over burden the residents but to do one thing each month for the residents living on the particular street. Some months that is simply prayer walking the street. Some of the classes have gone door to door leaving a small gift such as Joy dish detergent with a scripture verse about the joyful life found in Christ. In April, one class was going to distribute flower seeds in a similar fashion. The church also began inviting the community to the church on Wednesday to share in the evening meal.

In our final meeting in the Reaching the Summit process in April I was informed by the pastor that a young girl from the community had been coming on Wednesday nights for the meal and children’s program. Recently the girl had accepted Christ and he had baptized her. This is the first person reached from the surrounding community in over a decade. But it would not be the last.

The church has a Tuesday lunch soup offering to the community once a month. God laid on the soup ministry leaders heart one man whose health had kept him from attending the previous week. She packed up some soup and delivered it to his home and led him to saving grace in Jesus Christ.

The e-mail I received two days after Easter Sunday from the pastor of Milstead Baptist Church (mentioned in the opening sentence) was to share with me that on Easter Sunday the church baptized three people from the surrounding community.

When we as God’s people consecrate ourselves to His will, He will use us and do great and mighty things. I look forward to hearing of more victories of God working in and through Milstead Baptist Church. This pastor and church have decided to make a difference. What about you and your church?

If you would like to know more about the Reaching the Summit process and how it can help your church please contact George Yates and SonC.A.R.E. Ministries .