Serving our Church Mother Greenwood
How should our church serve those who are sick? How can we prepare our hearts to minister to an aging population? We are exhorted to minister to the downtrodden--a ministry after God's own heart. In the U.S., people over the age of sixty years of age are the fastest growing segment of the population, and the American Association of Retired Persons has noted that by the year 2030; there will be approximately 70 million older persons in the U.S., more than twice their number in 1996. By 2030, seniors will represent 20% of the population compared to 13% today. We must consider as a local church how to minister to this population. The best way to serve our senior citizens is to love them, visit them and minister to them. Part of loving and valuing our seniors is appreciating them and understand they can encourage and inspire us through their testimony and experiences.
On Thursday December 9, 2010, Greater Bethesda Christian Center sent First Lady Khandice Lawrence and a ministry team (Brother Joseph Taylor, Melody Love, Brittinie Love and Destinee Love) to minister to Mother Greenwood at her home. They ministered through song, scripture and exhortation. Mother Greenwood testified stating, "I couldn't wait until you were coming and this is the first time a church has ever came and ministered through a mini-service." Tears filled her eyes and she continued, "I know the Lord sent you because I have been blessed, truly blessed and I'm so happy that my brothers and sisters in Christ took the time to come and see about me."
Mathew 25:34-40
34 Then the King will say to those on his right hand, "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;
36 I was naked and clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'
37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?
38 "When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?
39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?
40 And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did to Me.'
