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A guide to serving locally
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VISION
Matthew 25:35-40
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I
was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked
after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord when did we
see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger
and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit
you?’ The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of
mine, you did for me.’
Whatever you did for the least of
these brothers of mine, you did for
me
First Baptist Church of Geneva exists to reach, connect, equip and serve. We, as a church, strive to serve “the least of these” as Christ identified them. The model set before us calls us to serve in community with one another, both around the world and here in the Fox Valley area.
At times, we miss the astounding reality of just how many of our neighbors are the least of these, in need of Christ’s love and care. Christ set the example of serving for us. In Matthew 20:28 he said, “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve...”
In order to live like Christ, we too are called to serve the least of these around us out of an overflow of love for Jesus Christ.
This year, our church is excited to unite together in a year-long SERVE challenge entitled “The Least of These.”
Sharing God’s transforming love to the least of these in our community
For more info: [email protected]
Note: On each page you will find a list of suggested serving opportunities. These lists are by no means all-inclusive. Once a cause is adopted, serving opportunities can be catered to your group specifically.
INDEX
Adopt a FBCG Missionary
Help the Homeless
Visit those in Prison
Remember the Forgotten
Befriend the Refugee
Look After the Sick
Care for the Poor
Feed the Hungry
Love the Children
Find your Fit
Next Steps
The Least of These Serve Challenge: Overview
• This year, small groups are invited to participate in “The Least of These” Serve Challenge.
• Small groups choose a cause to adopt for the ministry year.
• Further information on each cause can be found on the pages of this packet.
• Once a cause is chosen, groups will sign a commitment form for that cause.
• Each group will then partner with local ministries by participating in 2-4 serving opportunities throughout the year.
• Groups will connect with the Local Serving Director, Gretchen Gilbert, in order to determine which four serving opportunities best fit your group.
For more info: [email protected]
FBCG families are faithfully serving around the world
FBCG has over 30 missionary families serving across the world. The role of FBCG is to support these missionaries both financially and spiritually as they dedicate their lives in service to furthering the kingdom of God. The work
they do can often be a thankless job. If your group chooses to
adopt a missionary this year, you are committing to supporting the missionary family. Small acts of kindness can make all the
difference to families living out Christ’s commission to
reach the unreached.
SERVING OPPORTUNITIES...
PRAYER ENCOURAGEMENT LETTERS CARE PACKAGES
30 Missionary
families serve across the
globe
ADOPT A FBCG MISSIONARY
Commit to praying for
your missionary family
as a group
Write letters of
encouragement
periodically throughout
the year
Prepare care packages
full of goodies for your
missionary that FBCG
will ship
Debbie and Mike Abbs
Bubs and Bobbie Borman
Rick and Sue Borman
Erik and Tammy Burklin
Brian Cheney
Anita Deyneka
Hussam and Martina Fakhoury
Dan Griebel
Matt and Michelle Harrison
Art and Dorothy Helwig
Paul and Ana Hill
Eric and Janet Johnson
Josh and Allie Johnson
Yohanna and Dina Katanacho
Jason and Tracy Knox
Ed and Jan Kotynski
Andrew Leman
Brock and Nancy Luginbill
Chris and Elizabeth McKinney
Rich and Judy Olenik
Gideon Para-Mallam
Emily Scatterday
Bryan and Rachel Smith
John and Carrie Smith
Tri and Emily Truong
Richard and Gerry Walton
Rebekah Warner
Alys West
Nat and Abby Wibberly
Joel and Barbara Wright
Jayson & Lindsay York
Ministry Partners:
For more info: [email protected]
Homeless families in your area are seeking the support of homeless ministries
An estimated 750,000 people in the United States are homeless on any given night. As the economic turmoil in this country increases, homelessness increases. The fastest growing population in the homeless community are families. Many families have lost their homes in the recession and lack the support system necessary to regain consistent income and shelter. Men, women and children are without a
roof over their heads and families are forced to choose between basic needs. The ministries with which
FBCG partners are working to break the cycle of homelessness and help these individuals and families attain permanent housing and sustainable income. Partner with one of these organizations to reach your homeless
neighbors and create a support system to save families from chronic homelessness.
Ministry Partners:
Hessed House
Lazarus House
Wayside Cross
SERVING OPPORTUNITIES ...
SERVE A MEAL LEAD A BIBLE STUDY STOCK SHELTERS
Break the cycle of
homelessness
HELP THE HOMELESS
Prepare and serve a
meal at a homeless
shelter
Prepare for and lead a
group Bible study for the
homeless
Keep homeless shelters
stocked with much-
needed goods
For more info: [email protected]
Bring hope into the darkness by sharing the love of Christ with those in bondage
Over 600 people in Kane County are currently in local jails or state prisons. Additionally, over 600 young people are living in juvenile detention centers. Prisoners in our neighborhood are in desperate need of emotional and spiritual support. Many prisoners are able to find the love of God and begin again with changed lives due to the support of
ministries dedicated to reaching the lost. If you choose prison ministry, you are committing to
partnering with these existing ministries to support local prisoners and their families. The simple act of volunteering can be the
catalyst for change in the lives of prisoners seeking a new path and support system.
Ministry Partners:
New Life Corrections
Young Life
SERVING OPPORTUNITIES...
FAMILY MINISTRY BIBLE STUDIES/ WORSHIP SERVICES
HOLIDAY PROGRAMS
PRAYER TEAM
Prison ministry
changes lives forever
VISIT THOSE IN PRISON
Commit to praying
for local inmates
and their families
Put on special
programs for
inmates 2-4 times
this year
Participate in
worship or Bible
study for inmates
Serve and support
inmate families
For more info: [email protected]
Senior citizens and widows in our area are the forgotten of our community
Close to 2,274 people are living in nursing homes in Kane County. Many of them receive physical care, but lack emotional support. These are the forgotten. Without family and friends to visit, the elderly in nursing homes are often very lonely. They desperately need a friendly face to provide comfort and friendship.
Widows and widowers, invalids and lonely people and the elderly in our community can be
reached with the simple gift your time. If you have a heart for the lonely and forgotten, consider committing to this
ministry and bring joy to the lives of those you serve.
Ministry Partners: Alden of Waterford Rosewood Care Center Countryside Care Center Elmwood Terrace Jennings Terrace Maplewood Care Provena Geneva Care Center Master’s Hands
SERVING OPPORTUNITIES...
GAME NIGHTS BIBLE STUDIES SHARE MEALS
Connect at a local
nursing home. Share joy.
REMEMBER THE FORGOTTEN
Plan a game night at a
local nursing home
every other month
Host a Bible study for
the forgotten in your
area
Share a meal with
residents at a local
nursing home
For more info: [email protected]
For an international missions experience in your own backyard, serve refugees
Due to the resettlement efforts and support of World Relief, there is a growing population of refugee families living in Kane County. These refugees have fled unimaginable persecution and often arrive in the US with few to no belongings, little or no knowledge of the English language or American culture
and insurmountable pain. While World Relief provides for many of those needs, FBCG’s
ministry Refugee Partners (formerly RAFT) further meets the needs of refugees in our community. By partnering with refugee
ministry, you are committing to support some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
Ministry Partners:
Refugee Partners
SERVING OPPORTUNITIES...
GOOD NEIGHBOR KITS
REFUGEE KID’S CLUB
SPECIAL EVENTS SKILLS WORKSHOPS
Families from all over the world live
down the street
BEFRIEND THE REFUGEE
Assemble 2-4
good neighbor
kits throughout
the year for new
families
Put on programs
for refugee
children
Plan and execute
special events for
refugee families
Workshops for
refugees in
*Car repair
*Homemaking
*Computers
*Life skills
For more info: [email protected]
People hurting from HIV-AIDs exist across the world and down the street
Nearly 18,000 people are living with AIDs in the United States. The Love in Action ministry is dedicated to to meeting the needs of those in our community with HIV-AIDs. This ministry supports community members with HIV-AIDs and their families physically, emotionally and spiritually. HIV-AIDs is a
progressive weakening of the immune system and there is no cure. What people with HIV-AIDs need
most is a loving support system. By providing this support, the Love in Action ministry is unique and life-changing. If you have a heart
for the sick and hurting in your community, partner with this cause for the year.
Ministry Partner:
Love & Action
SERVING OPPORTUNITIES...
ADOPT A FAMILY HOLIDAY CARE PACKAGES PREPARE MEALS
Be a hand of comfort to the
sick
LOOK AFTER THE SICK
Serve a local family
dealing with sickness
in your area
Prepare Thanksgiving,
Christmas and Easter
care packages
Prepare meals for
families in need
For more info: [email protected]
Fox River families are crying out for support and resources to fight poverty
While poverty is oftentimes more difficult to see in the comfort of the plush suburbs, it exists in our county, just as any other. Around 9.3% of people living in Kane County are living in poverty. The Riverwoods/Riverworks ministries and FBCG’s own Compassion in Action ministry are dedicated to reaching the poor in the Fox Valley area.
Through these outreaches, families are given the opportunity to overcome hardship. Needs are
met through relationship-building ministry. Advocacy, support and much-needed resources are provided for these Fox Valley
families. Taking part in these ministries makes a significant difference in our communities and
helps bring families from poverty to hope.
Ministry Partners: Riverwoods
Riverworks
Compassion in Action
SERVING OPPORTUNITIES...
WORK PROJECTS MOVING HELP SKILLS WORKSHOPS COMPASSION
Fox Valley families are in
desperate need
CARE FOR THE POOR
Participate in
work projects at
Riverwoods
camp
Help families in
Fox Valley move
Help with
workshops for
budgeting and
car skills
Interview clients
seeking financial
help OR commit
to praying for
families
For more info: [email protected]
Across the street and around the world, people are going hungry and we can help
Hunger is an issue that needs to be addressed both in the Fox Valley area as well as across the world. Fortunately, there are ways to get involved and fight world hunger without having to travel very far. The Compassion in Action ministry provides for the needs of families in the Fox Valley area through the food pantry. Providing for immediate needs, the food
pantry is able to keep local families from hunger. Providing for hungry children around the world,
Feed My Starving Children packs meals specially designed to promote healthy growth in starving children. Packing events are a simple plug-in with high reward.
Partner with one or both of these ministries this year and take a stand against hunger.
Ministry Partners:
Feed My Starving Children
Compassion in Action
SERVING OPPORTUNITIES...
FOOD PACKING FOOD PANTRY STOCKING FOOD PANTRY EXTRAS
Put a stop to world hunger
this year
FEED THE HUNGRY
Participate in food
packs at the FMSC
center in Aurora
Stock and volunteer at
the Compassion in
Action Food Pantry
Write encouraging
notes and verses for
food pantry clients/
commit to praying for
families
For more info: [email protected]
Reach the vulnerable, neglected children in your area alongside Royal Family Kids
Children are among the most vulnerable members of our community. Yet oftentimes, they are abused and neglected by the very people they trust to keep them safe. These children are living in foster care situations, or in high-risk home situations. First Baptist Church of Geneva has been home to a highly successful program called the Royal Family Kids
Camp. The camp is designed for these vulnerable children to have positive adult mentoring
relationships. Due to the growth of Royal Family Kids, the program has expanded to include middle school and high school
students in Shining Stars and The Summit. Positive relationships can change the course of
the lives of these vulnerable children.
Ministry Partners:
Royal Family Kids
SERVING OPPORTUNITIES... SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS CUSTOM OPPORTUNITIES
Have a positive
impact on abused children
LOVE THE CHILDREN
Create special presentations
for retreats/gatherings
Work with Royal Family Kids
Directors to create custom
serving opportunities suited to
your group
For more info: [email protected]
FINDING YOUR FITA guide to suggested serving
opportunities best-suited for your group
While each group is able to choose from the wide range of serving opportunities, this page provides suggested partnerships that might be the best fit for your group.
DTP/D-GROUP• Adopt a Missionary• Help the Homeless -Prepare meals -Stock shelters• Remember the Forgotten -Plan game night at local nursing homes -Share meals with the lonely
C-Groups• Adopt a Missionary• Love the Children• Befriend the Refugee -Special programs• Visit those in Prison• Help the Homeless -Prepare meals -Plan a bible study• Care for the Poor
Families• Adopt a Missionary• Feed the Hungry -Pack food at FMSC -Food pantry• Remember the Forgotten -Plan a game night at a nursing home
For more info: [email protected]
As a group, discuss the various serving opportunities. After prayerful consideration, vote as a group for your cause. Sign the commitment form located in this packet.
Meet with Local Serving Director, Gretchen Gilbert, in order to learn more about specific serving opportunities and to connect with local ministries.
Plan your four (or more!) serving opportunities with your group. Remember: creativity is welcome! We want groups to work with our ministry partners to create unique serving events that are best-suited to the God-given talents of each group.
Participate in the Commissioning Sunday service. Send updates to Gretchen Gilbert throughout the year to highlight the great serving opportunities in which your group has participated. We want to share your work with the rest of the church!
Serve the least of these in your community.
Important Dates...
October 2-8 Meet with your groups and discuss the project
October 17 Signed commitments due
October 23 Commissioning Sunday
November 20 Have first serving opportunity planned
CONTACT INFO:Gretchen Gilbert
630.232.7068 ext. 144
Choose your unique serving opportunities!
NEXT STEPS
For more info: [email protected]