I just back from a vision tour of Christ For the City’s (CFCI) ministries in Costa Rica, the reason for not writing a blog post this past week. One of CFCI’s projects is “Transformations,” a multi-faceted ministry located in the San Jose slum of Guararí where drugs, prostitution, and gangs are rampant. Transformations is dedicated to offering the people of Guararí, many of whom are illegal Nicaraguan immigrants, a chance to experience the transforming power of Christ. They feed children, offer tutoring and after-school programs, play sports with the youth, teach adult sewing & art classes and lead Bible studies. Hugo, the director of this ministry, was physically attacked and slandered recently by neighbors who sought control and wanted him to stop ministering in the neighborhood.
In the last two Psalms we examined, the Psalmist asked God to defeat critical speech against him by trusting in His triumph and praising Him for His strength and lovingkindness, exactly how Hugo responded (Ps. 58-59). He testified that the battle is the Lord’s, the subject of Psalm 60.
Need for Community Ministry
In the midst of brokenness and tearing apart of families, physical, sexual and verbal attacks occur. As a result, God’s people like Hugo experience great hardship. He experienced similar devastation in his own life where he couldn’t speak for five years because of trauma, but the transforming power of Christ delivered him. “Transformations” ministry provides hope so people can be rescued from drugs, prostitution, gangs, sexual abuse and other sin (Ps. 60:1-5).
Calling for Community Ministry
God speaks out of His holiness to call individuals into ministry. Hugo’s vision is to send teams out and equip people in other “needy” neighborhoods to do what he’s been doing. The land is God’s. He portions and measures Shechem and valley of Succoth. Both Gilead and Manasseh are His. Every location and people group has a purpose. Ephraim is the helmet of His head, Judah His protection, Moab is His washbowl and Edom is where He throws His shoe (Ps. 60:6-8). Not only Hugo, but God has a function for you and provides opportunity to minister in your community, whether it’s at work or in the neighborhood.
Power for Community Ministry
Hugo testified to me and others that God gave his team the victory over the latest persecution. They gave God the glory for transformation in the lives of children, youth and adults. The Psalmist said God would go forth with their armies and give help against the adversary. Deliverance by man is in vain, but through God he would do valiantly and defeat his enemies (Ps. 60:9-12).
Consider the following questions:
1. What is God saying to you concerning a ministry in the community?
2. How does God want you to minister based on your background, passion and gifts?
3. Where does God want you to focus your ministry?
4. Who can be partners in your ministry since teamwork and accountability will help make you successful?
