Christmas Celebration 2009

Our first Christmas Celebration at the Love In Action Ministry Center was a huge success. More than 180 people attended the event on Dec. 23, and there were smiles all around as the love of Jesus Christ was poured out on everyone.

We had so many wonderful volunteers who came from Dothan, Ozark, Enterprise and Illinois. Yes, a couple traveled all the way from the Midwest. They were moving to Dothan earlier this year and they contacted us about serving with LIA. But, something came up and they had to stay in Illinois. But, they were visiting Dothan for Christmas, so they came to serve. Thanks Ky and Nick.

What thrilled me the most was seeing those we have helped throughout this year serving others. Some of the people we transitioned from homelessness to having their own homes were there serving. It was awesome. They understand God delivered them, and now they want to give back to God by serving others through LIA. Praise God!

Alan Watson did another great job of leading worship. God has blessed Alan with a wonderful gift of music and he uses it for the Lord. Thanks Alan for leading us all in praise and worship of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Emily Hinderliter delivered a great message about serving the "least of these brothers of mine" from Matthew 25:35-40. Emily is a wonderful woman of God. When God showed her earlier this year what His call on her life is, she accepted it and has been sharing the love of Jesus Christ with the homeless and needy ever since. Emily and her husband Ricky are such tremendous blessings to LIA and those we serve. They have made a huge difference in our ministry. Thank you both so much.

Tabernacle United Methodist is just an incredible church. They sponsor Celebrate Recovery at the Ministry Center, and thanks to their generosity and servant hearts, we were able to host the Christmas Celebrate. I can't say enough great things about the people at Tabernacle. More than 150 lives have been touched through Celebrate Recovery since we started in October. Thank you so much!

We couldn't have nearly 200 people in the Ministry Center without chairs, and churches have donated for that need too. Our home church of Harvest and Covenant United Methodist have given us more than enough chairs. It is so nice not to have to borrow chairs any more. Thanks so much.

Emmanuel Christian School in Dothan, Ala., once again donated the use of their bus so we could pick up the inmates in the Houston County Community Corrections work release program. With 51 from work release attending, it would have taken multiple trips for us to pick them up and take them back. That was a great blessing.

You see, it takes the body of Christ working together to do effective ministry. That's what took place Wednesday night. There were no church banners raised; only the banner of Jesus Christ was raised. Jesus was indeed celebrated Wednesday night. The Ministry Center was overflowing with the love of Jesus. Everyone had a great time.

Hearing those who don't have family say this is their family is awesome. Seeing family members of those who are serving time in the Houston County Community Corrections work release program come to the Ministry Center and celebrate Christmas together was awesome. We are seeing families restored at the Ministry Center. Want to see fewer people in jail and prison? Then help build strong families and it will happen.

Martha and I are just so excited about what God is doing through Love In Action. It's been a great year of ministry. Let's keep doing our part and keep watching God radically transform people's lives.