How good it is to partner in kingdom fashion

At the onset of Jesus’ ministry, Luke records Jesus’ declaration of his agenda (Luke 4:18-19). He is the anointed one who brings good news to the poor, freedom to the captives, sight to the blind and who introduces a new era of God’s rule.

Toward the end of the Gospel of Matthew, we read a parable where Jesus tells us how he will judge humanity at the end of the ages (Matthew 25:31-46). The evidence of being a true follower of Jesus, a child of God, is the way we serve “the least of these.”

Those who feed the hungry, give a drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked and visit the sick and the prisoners are serving the least of these, which Jesus says is equivalent to serving Him, the King, directly. That’s the evidence of a true disciple.

Recently, Texas Baptists partnered with the North American Mission Board (NAMB), Texans on Mission, Buckner International, Send Relief and twenty-eight churches from eleven states to serve people in the Rio Grande Valley. The Serve Tour Brownsville was a success because we partnered together in kingdom fashion to serve “the least of these.”

More than three hundred volunteers served local schools, churches, pastors and communities in the border town.

Volunteers replaced the roof for a pastor’s wife who was recently widowed, painted multiple classrooms for Iglesia Bautista El Buen Pastor, replaced the roof for a utility building for Primera Iglesia Bautista Mexicana, painted and installed a basketball goal for Olmito Community Church, replaced flooring for Iglesia Bautista Eliacim and built a large patio for community ministry for Iglesia Bautista Horeb.

In partnership with Iglesia Bautista Southmost, Buckner International and local health agencies, volunteers provided a community health fair that featured free shoes and socks for kids. Volunteers completed two projects in Matamoros, Mexico. They partnered with Iglesia Bautista Ammi to paint classrooms, bathrooms and a fellowship hall. They also partnered with Iglesia Bautista El Buen Pastor by serving families at three area hospitals.

Volunteers hosted a block party for Border Patrol and local law enforcement officers and their families at an area park in partnership with Send Relief’s Laredo Ministry Center leaders, painted and installed landscape pavers for Sunshine Haven Hospice home and built community information boards for Good Neighbor Settlement House. 

In partnership with the Baptist Student Ministry at two local college campuses, volunteers cooked hotdogs, offered prayers and interacted with college students. Other volunteers partnered with three local churches for three different neighborhood “grill walks” where individuals gave out free burgers and shared their faith.

Overall, we served 2,302 people in Jesus’ name, had 1,011 gospel conversations and the Lord added 128 people to His kingdom as they prayed to receive Christ. How good it is to partner together in the kingdom and show the world that we belong to the King!

As we think of “the least of these” this week, we invite you to join us in prayer for those around the world who do not enjoy the freedom to worship as they choose. Our Center for Cultural Engagement’s Intercultural Ministries has put together a video, prayer guide and other resources that churches may use in conjunction with the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, which takes place this Sunday, Nov. 3. Join us in prayer!