There is a church in Oakland that has recently been transformed by stepping outside of their comfort zone and extending mercy to others. The following video highlights what this church did, in collaboration with World Impact. It all started with a handful of eye doctors in this local church, who felt compelled to use their unique vocational gifts for the glory of God, and the good of others.
One of the key members from this church who helped coordinate the eye clinics told me that prior to the eye clinic their church was a typical commuter church. They would drive in for service, but they weren't necessarily doing life together and growing as disciples on mission together. He told me that God used the eye clinic ministry to take their church deeper into community with one another, and mobilized them to be a more missional church in their city context.
This coming July, this church is partnering with our church to do a similar eye clinic for men, women, and families in Richmond. We have begun planning and praying for this needed ministry. We are excited to see what God is going to do!
On a side note, I love what Paul Chan says about "meaningful sacrifice." He states that as followers of Christ we have a longing within us to make sacrifices - because of our connectedness to Christ (paraphrase). He adds, "we know that when we do sacrifice, it's the closest we have to living through Christ. It's the greatest testimony we have to an unbelieving world." That's good stuff!
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