These Churches Found Unique Ways to Unite Their Communities

These Churches Found Unique Ways to Unite Their Communities | [View online]( [Give Now]( Advertisement [Local Church Outreach]( [CT Pastors]( [Join for Free]( [More on Outreach]( Wednesday, July 11, 2018 These Churches Found Unique Ways to Unite Their Communities When churches function well, they impact their communities in positive ways. Like a sprinkler system in a dry lawn, they are imbedded in specific locations to bring life and growth to everyone around them. This week I wanted to highlight a few churches taking intentional steps to unite and bless their communities in ways almost any church community could emulate. [Churches Partner Together to Beautify Their City]( In La Grange, North Carolina, pastor John Wiggins of First Missionary Baptist Church wanted to help bridge the city’s racial divide. So he connected with pastors across the city to bring their churches together for [one, big community project](. Today was the first part of it with church leaders teaming up with the youth in their community and congregations to help beautify their downtown. "Love is an action word," said Pastor Ravon Ravenell. Pastor Ravenell leads the Presence Church in La Grange. He adds, "So, we're out in the community helping to clean the town that we love. We have children together. Different races. We're coming together to fellowship and do something great in La Grange." Students swept storefronts and washed windows, and that’s just the start. The group of churches will also help prepare local schools for the upcoming year. [Community Garden Connects Church with Their Neighbors](E2%80%94-and-vegetables.html) Around the world, people come together over shared food, and that’s now happening in a [unique way](E2%80%94-and-vegetables.html) in Danville, Illinois, thanks to the efforts of local church members. Volunteers from the First Assembly of God Church built 12 beds for a community garden to grow vegetables for their neighbors. "We have a little bit of everything — four types of peppers, cabbage, eggplant, zucchini, acorn squash, onions, cauliflower, broccoli and lots of tomatoes," said Ryan Ferrero, who planted 28 to 30 vegetables donated by Susan Franklin of with the Danville Farmer's Market along a nearby fence line. Members of the community can help with the gardening, or they can simply enjoy the produce. Ferrero welcomed residents to stop by to help him water or weed and even try their hand at growing some late-summer vegetables. "This is 100 percent the community's garden," he said. "We want people to come here and treat it as if was their own." [Church in East Harlem Contributes to Economic Shalom]( Congregations have the ability to share God’s love in tangible ways by helping their communities thrive. A church in East Harlem has found ways to connect the gifts of its people with the needs of surrounding residents and businesses. In an [article]( for CT Pastors, Metro Hope Covenant Church pastor José Humphreys shares how: Our church also organizes monthly “cash mobs,” mobilizing a group of community people to support local restaurants. Our first ever was at the East Harlem Café during a winter storm. Two of our church members volunteered as café servers to accommodate the crowd. Metro’s worship band became the house band for the day. Our church and local residents packed out the café on one of the snowiest days of the year. How is your church investing in its community to bless your neighbors? Let us know. [Kyle Rohane] [Kyle Rohane] [Kyle Rohane](mailto:krohane@christianitytoday.com) Editor, CT Pastors Advertisement More from CT Pastors [The 2018 CT Pastors Book Recommendations]( [The 2018 CT Pastors Book Recommendations]( Six recent books that will aid you in your ministry. The editors of CT Pastors [Read More]( [I Was Wrong About Church Buildings]( [I Was Wrong About Church Buildings]( They can be outposts of mission, not just a drain on resources. Dan Kimball [Read More]( [God’s Crowdsource in East Harlem]( [God’s Crowdsource in East Harlem]( This church is building relationships and contributing to economic shalom by supporting local businesses. José Humphreys [Read More]( Related Newsletters [CT Pastors Newsletter]( Each weekly CT Pastors issue equips you with the best wisdom and practical tools for church ministry. [Sign Up Now]( [Small Groups Newsletter]( Inspire life-changing community with our free weekly newsletter and receive regular access to innovative training resources, Bible-based curriculum, and practical articles. [Sign Up Now]( Advertisement Follow Us: [Follow on Facebook]( [Follow on Twitter]( Need fresh, practical ideas for reaching your community? Each week, you’ll receive a wealth of invaluable ideas and resources for the outreach-oriented church leader. Local Church Outreach Delivered free via email to subscribers Weekly. [Subscribe]( to this newsletter. You are currently subscribed as {EMAIL}. [Subscribe]( to more newsletters like this. Manage your [email preferences]( or [unsubscribe](. Copyright ©2018 Christianity Today 465 Gundersen Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188 All rights reserved. [Privacy Policy]( | [Advertise]( | [Subscribe to CT]( | [Give Now]( Christianity Today is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.