What Really Matters to You?

Pastor Steven Huffman, Outreach Pastor at Morningside Baptist Church (Greenville,SC)

I grew up in the state of Georgia and one of our claims to fame was being the home state of former President Jimmy Carter. In his book, Why Not the Best?, he recounts the story of preparing to speak to a church group on the subject of witnessing. He was recalling his efforts with his local Plains Baptist Church and the fact that he had made over 140 visits over a span of 14 years for a special outreach campaign his church had each year. He was rather proud of himself. But then he was challenged by the fact that in his 1966 run for Governor of Georgia he had made at least 300,000 contacts in 3 months just to win the people’s vote for the governorship.[1] Like President Carter, we need to come face to face with the reality that our work for Christ so often pales in comparison to our efforts for things that really do not matter for eternity.
 
The Center for Global Opportunities is taking the beginning of this school year to challenge BJU students to focus on what really matters. Of course, there are many activities, classes, work, and friendships that demand the time of college students. You may feel that you are so busy that you cannot possibly add one more thing to your schedule. We all know that we each have the same amount of time, but it is up to us how we steward that time for the Lord. My dad has a thought-provoking challenge when you listen to the voicemail message on his home phone. “Remember, today is your gift from God, unwrap it wisely.” As you are training for your chosen profession at a Christian liberal arts college, let me encourage you to remember the importance of the Lord’s work and His local church. Make every day of your college career count for God and what really matters.
 
As the Outreach Pastor at Morningside Baptist Church in Greenville, South Carolina, we appreciate the opportunity to partner with the CGO to reach our community for Christ. Last year, for 4 Saturdays in September, our Morningsiders combined with BJU college students to conduct a worldview survey as a means of opening the door for the gospel. We appreciate the students who participated. They spent part of their weekends focused on making a difference in people’s lives. I personally had the opportunity to participate and talk with a lady just one block from the church who obviously did not know the Lord as her personal Savior. Even with so many churches here in Greenville, there are people who still need the Lord. Praise the Lord; one of our men was able to lead 3 people to a profession of faith in Christ last year during the Go Greenville campaign.
 
At Morningside, we are about Reaching Out with the gospel, not only around the world but also right here in Greenville. We would love to partner with more BJU students for outreach efforts. Once again, this September we are devoting some time on two Saturdays (9/8 & 9/15 from 1-3 PM) to share the gospel in a neighborhood near our church on Pelham Road by conducting a worldview survey. Would you be willing to take some time to focus on what really matters: people in need of the good news of Jesus Christ?
 
The reality is that Morningside could use your help this school year to reach out to Greenville. We could use your help with our weekly visitation program on Wednesday nights. You could work in our Good News Club on Tuesday afternoons, sharing the gospel with students from the public school next door to our church. You could also help us reach the next generation for Christ by working in our Kids on Mission on Wednesday nights from 6:45 - 8:00.
 
In October, we will be doing outreach events with the Aaron Coffey evangelistic team. On Monday, 10/15, we will have a Men’s Steak Out and Cornhole tournament. On Tuesday, 10/16, our ladies will have a Chocolate Cafe. And on Wednesday, 10/17, the teens will have a teen rally. All of these events will hopefully help us reach out with the gospel to the unsaved and unchurched by using creative methods.
 
On Halloween night, we will be treating our community to a free and family-friendly Fall Carnival, complete with carnival games, a hot dog dinner, and trunk-or-treat for the kids.
 
There are multiple ways you can partner with a local church to reach Greenville for Christ. If we can help you focus on what really matters this school year, let’s talk (shuffman@morningside.org). I can meet you on campus or just talk over the phone (864-297-7890). I hope to hear from you soon.

[1] https://storiesforpreaching.com/category/sermonillustrations/evangelism/.