by: Scott Vair | President/CEO
We matter to God. Each one of us – you, me, your neighbors, our friends, those we know well and those we will never meet. God sees, loves, and adores us. Each one. In Luke 12:7, Jesus tells us, “Indeed, the very hairs on your head are all numbered. And don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” In Psalm 37, David tells us that though we may stumble or suffer calamity, God is with us and he will not forget us, “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” (Psalm 37:23-24). God loves us. We are his children, after all. And he calls us to that kind of love. Love that shows mercy and kindness. Love that extends itself. Love beyond our worldly limits of comfort and proximity. Love beyond what’s easy and most obvious. That’s how Jesus loved.
His ministry on earth was relational, it was personal. As he walked the earth, he was interested in and engaged in the specifics of people’s lives. He noticed and understood every detail. The bible tells us stories about real people and how the gospel changed their lives. We read stories about John the Baptist, Mary Magdalene, Zacchaeus, and Saul; the leper and paralytic who were healed, Lazarus who was brought back to life, and the list goes on. These are real people and real stories of how God interacted with them and how their lives were changed as a result.
We read their stories, and we are encouraged. We see hope. We see the power of the gospel. We see how God loved and cared for them, and we are reminded that he loves and cares about us.
We live in a different time to be sure. Jesus is no longer here in the flesh teaching, preaching, caring for the marginalized. But his church is! At its best, the church is a reflection of Jesus, a reflection of his love, living out his examples of how to care for each other and for the vulnerable. His church is alive and at work in our world, loving how he loved, serving how he served, sharing his compassion and kindness.
In the coming months, we are sharing stories about real people, how the church has interacted with them, offering the hope of Jesus, and how their lives have been changed as a result.
You’ll read about Tiruwork in Ethiopia who, as a widowed mother of two, was empowered to care for her children (instead of abandoning them at an orphanage) through the support and encouragement of the local church. Participation in a microloan program allowed her to start her own small business. Through the words of her story, you’ll see courage and strength, determination and God’s tangible provision.
You’ll see how Flor, a young single mother in Guatemala, gained dignity and opportunity to grow socially, economically, emotionally, spiritually, and personally through a counseling program and belonging to a sewing co-op. Through the words of her story, you’ll hear of God’s goodness and transformational love.
You’ll hear the story of Haider Omar Qawas in Iraq, who found safety, security, and education for his family after fleeing the brutality of ISIS. Through the words of his story, you’ll see where fear and faith meet, as the church brings hope and help.
You’ll read about Ahana in India, who tragically lost her parents at a young age and then found sanctuary, nourishment, and a sense of belonging at Bethel Gospel Church. Through the words of her story, you’ll hear of God’s kindness and blessing over a young girl in need, bringing restoration and peace.
And you’ll read about the legacy of Bishop Julius in Kenya, who dedicated his life to proclaiming the gospel and how he led his local church in caring for the marginalized. Through the words of his story, you’ll experience his compassionate faith that he shared so beautifully and how God has made much of it.
These are stories about real people and how their lives have been changed through the tangible help and purposeful ministry of the local church and ultimately the movement of God in their lives. Like the stories in the bible, these stories offer encouragement. We see hope. We see the power of the gospel. We see how God has cared for them, and we are reminded how he cares about us. We see the church, at its best, loving like Jesus loved, doing what Jesus did, for the sake of his people around the globe. Each one precious in his sight. Each one dearly loved. Each one seen and known.
This article was originally published in the World Orphans Fall Insight Magazine 2024.