As Christians, we are called fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28), which means sharing the gospel and advancing the kingdom of God throughout the whole world.  What a privilege, but what a big task!  Yet, we are so limited given our families, jobs, and responsibilities.  Where do we find the time?  Moreover, in light of life’s busyness, where do you go to learn how to fulfill this Great Commission?  Do you really have to go over seas to be a missionary?  Have you ever wondered where your gifts and talents fit in to God’s plan to change the world with the gospel?  What about your neighbor across the street, your co-worker, and the waitress at your favorite restaurant?  Who is reaching them with the gospel?

That’s what Seed is all about.

SEED is a ministry that will equip you to reach your neighbors, community and the city with the gospel.   We do this by learning to think and act as a missionaries.  We serve others together, meet others needs together, and invite others into our lives as a means of sharing the Good News in both Word and deed.

The ministry equips you on multiple levels:

• As an Individual – Join us and see a missional lifestyle modeled, which will help you to discover and use your passions to be the presence of Christ in your world.  The aim is to help you think and live like a missionary in every sphere of life.  For example, we help you learn to share the gospel to your co-workers and neighbors, we help get you resourced to complete service projects in your neighborhood, we help you mobilize and join with others in a way that unite your gifts and talents – to address needs you can’t meet by yourself.

• Sojourn Gathered – Seed hosts numerous large scale events for the city that pull together the entire body of Sojourn Community Church.  For example, we host a yearly medical clinic, Fall Festival, and others.  These large scale events open doors and reach literally thousands in the city with God’s Word and good deed.  We believe that the gospel transforms everything, including the city.

• Sojourn Scattered – You will serve your neighborhood along with your Community Group to address specific needs where you gather.  We learn most when we serve together.

• City-wide Church collaborations – You can join our partnerships with Jefferson Street Baptist Center (a men’s shelter), Louisville Orphan Care Initiative, and others.

Why do we do this?  What do we hope to accomplish?

A Transformed City

As you live out a missional lifestyle, you are participating in Sojourn’s larger vision of city transformation.  We believe that as we pray, serve, meet needs, and share the gospel with people in the city, the city will change.  We believe that, because of the gospel at work in people’s lives, marriages will be restored, crime will decrease, kids will be mentored, homes will be renovated, etc.

What are you waiting for?

It is not a requirement for any individual to participate in seed, but there are many benefits:

• A missional lifestyle is lived out and modeled together with like-minded Christians.
• Your responsibilities remain small and manageable.  A seed leader will be your guide and will coordinate each project.
• Participating with a group forms friendships, accountability and affirmation.
• Serving together is easier because everyone gets to know everyone.
• The structure is simple and it is easy to reproduce projects that result in genuine relationships.
• Participating with a small group aids courageous evangelism
• Serving the marginalized will help keep your attention on daily life issues.

See our “Next Steps” document to get involved.

“Suppose a brother or sister is without food clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?” – James 2:15

In the last few months, there have been an increasing number of families coming to Sojourn during the services and throughout the week seeking food and assistance.  We never give cash directly to people, rather we come alongside them and help meet some of their physical, tangible needs right away.  Hot coffee is a good place to start, but not very nourishing or substantial.

That’s where you come in.  We’re looking to gather up enough non-perishables to put together some small kits that we can give to our neighbors who have a genuine need when they stop by Sojourn seeking help.  Take a look in your cupboards and see what you have to give.  Or if you’re at the grocery, keep the church in mind (shopping for the needy with your children at the grocery is a great way to expose your children to mercy and compassion).

Items we would love to put in these kits include:

• Dry pasta
• Canned fruits and vegetables
• Canned beans
• Granola bars
• Canned meat (tuna, chicken)
• Peanut butter
• Canned soup or boxed soup mixes
• Dried fruit (like raisins)
• Instant mashed potatoes
• Powdered drink mixes
• Dry cereals (especially things like oatmeal and cream of wheat which have longer shelf lives than things like raisin bran)
• Infant formula
• Canned or jarred spaghetti sauce
• Travel-size or hotel-size toiletries (soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes)
• Boxed meals (like hamburger helper, rice mixes, macaroni and cheese, etc.)

Items we cannot use include Bread (it spoils quickly), anything opened, used, homemade or perishable.

For our guests and visitors in need, we’re looking to maximize nutrition and convenience — paper plates and bowls, wet-naps and disposable utensils are good additions to these kits.  We’re looking for things that are nutritious, simple, and quick to prepare, since statistically many of our neighbors have two or even three jobs and not much time to cook.  We are seeking to give them a gift that represents God’s love and our love in a tangible way — so that means quality items.

Instructions:  Fill up a bag with whatever items you collect and bring them back the following  Sunday.  Drop the bags off in the Kitchen (located in the back of the Listening Room, where you get coffee).

Further Resources:

Read why so many middle class families are now being forced into poverty.

Landmark New Study Reveals an Unprecedented Number of People Seeking Emergency Food Assistance

Learn more about joining the Benevolence team by emailing mercy@sojournchurch.com