Getting a Vision from God

Some time back I read a quote from one of my favorite authors, Bill Hybels, that has stuck with me. He said that if you want God to give you a vision for the ministry you're leading, go visit other ministries where you see Him at work.

I followed his advice and was so blessed by what I saw last Thursday. God touched something deeply in my soul, where I sensed him telling me that this was a vision for the Christian Service Center that I've been searching for the past 3 and a half years.

Here's a photo of the main building of Christian Community Action, located in Lewisville, Texas. It's led by the Scott Orr, the son of my dear friend in Abilene, Dub. For the year Dub has been telling me, "Jim, you've got to see this ministry my son is leading.? He was right. I needed to see it.

Born out of a Bible study 34 years ago, Christian Community Action (CCA) has grown into a ministry that has a food pantry the size of a small grocery store, six full-time case workers, a medical and dental clinic, a chapel, a chaplain, a Job Search SupPort Group, an off-site childcare center, an affordable housing and housing renovation program, and on it goes. They emphasize both compassion and accountability, which I have a burden do here in Abilene.

It has gradually grown into where it is today. And the part I especially love is that it is so Christ-centered. They're all about doing their ministry in the name of Jesus and for His glory.

At lunch today, Susan and I watched a DVD of this ministry, which modeled the type of DVD I hope to produce for our ministry and show at a banquet this November. I want to show this DVD to our board next week, helping them to catch this vision for how we could expand and improve our ministry here.

Please pray for us as we continue following the leading of the Lord and seek His vision for what the Christian Service Center could become as a Christ-honoring ministry to the poor and hurting and lost of Abilene.

Jim