"Would they know we were gone?"

"If the church was uprooted today, would anyone know we were gone?" Pastor Trevor and the Norwegian Settlers Church asked themselves this question. It's a very sobering thought, don't you think?How are we impacting the lives of others? How are we making a difference in our own communities? What single effort are we making and how is it changing the world? The church asked themselves this question many years ago, and as a result the ministry of Genesis was born. A ministry that included practical strategies such as starting a local gym to bring in broken men and encouraging them to invest in their own lives; a feeding program that resulted in the development of an entire preschool program; a care center that first treated the dying and now births healing and a return to life. All of these programs, and more, came out of that single question..."...would anyone know we were gone?"

Genesis' single greatest mission is to take the church outside the walls of a Sunday morning building. Trevor was once asked "How big is your church?" And Trevor answered, "about 20,000". He said he knew what the man was really asking him...how big is your congregation? But it was more important to understand that the gospel and ministry of this small church was reaching the masses every single day. Staff, volunteers, and missionaries from around the world were pouring their heart and soul into this small but devastated community everyday.

And the numbers continue to grow. The impact continues to grow.

Monday included our first trip to Khula; the preschool program. This program, that now serves a growing number of over 70 children, first began when one couple saw a need to feed five hungry children. Let me say that again....

ONE couple set out to feed 5 hungry children.

"...would they know we were gone?"

I practically ran out of the van and into the classroom building, immediately seeing familiar faces in the children and teachers. And do you know what else I saw? I saw teachers who were 100% more confident in their teaching from a year ago. I saw children who were cleaner and more engaged than they were a year ago. I saw supplies that were challenging the children to problem solve and get creative. I saw a playground that had simply been painted and cleaned up, adding a little beauty and order to the day.

"....would they know we were gone?"

I have so many more stories and moments to share, but I encourage you to be still with this question today. "Would they know if you were gone?" And who are "they" in your world? Are they your family, your friends, your community, your church?

It's not the size of your impact but the quality. Just put yourself out there, and trust God to reach the masses! Step out and trust! Build your relationships! Be a presence in a time of need!

Have a blessed day, everyone!
Much love,
Brandi