Be an Example In Love

June 12, 2013 • HQ of Hope • by
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Thank you for your prayers and thoughts this past week as our family faced the challenges of life. It is comforting to know many people are praying and your prayers were felt and appreciated. 

As I reflect on the past weeks events, I note the example of Jesus in the lives of many friends, family and even strangers. The words expressed, the thoughts shared, and the time provided indicate a depth of love that only flows from heaven. As followers of God, this is our aim isn’t it? To look like, sound like and think like Jesus. We should strive to be an example as we follow Jesus … the example. 

Have you ever attempted to describe what love means in one word? It is a good exercise but difficult to sum up in one accurate word. The Bible describes love in many multiple word statements found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7,

 “4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

 Is this what your love looks like? This is that standard that our love should strive to attain. We may not be perfect but we can become more like the “perfect one” as we allow God’s Spirit, the Spirit of Love, to impact and transform our heart, soul and mind. As God-followers we are to be transformed into the image of Jesus. Remember, we have not been saved “from” something but “to” something and that is to love like Jesus and be an example of Him on the earth.

Be an Example in the way you love others

12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

1 Timothy 4:12-16

How to be an example in love

Paul’s words to Timothy are a reminder to focus life on what matters. Love matters. We are to be an example in many things and love is one. Paul encourages Timothy to “meditate” on the need to be an example in love and to give focus entirely on living as an example.

I find a great pattern and instruction for life in Paul’s coaching of Timothy. First, he teaches what is important. Love is important. Being an example is important. Next, he shares how. First, don’t neglect the work God has started in you. Second, meditate on what God is impressing and teaching. Third, give yourself to the coaching of God and what He is trying to do in and through you. Fourth, be careful or “take heed” of your life and to the standard of God’s word. Fifth, continue with perseverance in living for Jesus and through Jesus. I find these truths shared by Paul an incredible message of hope, purpose and clarity.

To live love we must surrender to God completely and allow His work to come through in all we do, say and think. Our love, human love, is not enough. It is a start but it will fail. Why? Human love is selfish. God’s love is selfless. God does not love to get something in return. He loves with no strings attached. He loves because that is who He is. We, in Him, are to be the same.

Friend, this week focus on love. Focus on being an example in love by living out 1 Corinthians 13 as best that you are able and under the grace God provides. Remember, you are His tool upon the earth to share love and bring His Kingdom to life. He is love. He desires that we “be” love to one another for His cause and Kingdom. You are the love someone needs. Will you be “love”?

“I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.”

Mother Teresa

 

The Party No One Came To benefits foster children and youth

December 12, 2012 • HQ of Hope • by
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Covenant Community Services, Inc. (Covenant) is holding their end of the year fundraiser and they don’t want you to come. It is called “The Party No One

The Party No One Came To – help Covenant help youth!

Came To”. The Party is an online auction and virtual party you can attend by signing up online at www.thepartynoonecameto.com. The party was developed when Covenant CEO, Randy Martin, was in a conversation with a local donor, Dan Panero. Panero shared his understanding of the overwhelming needs of local nonprofits as well as the busyness of donors schedules. He suggested a party you didn’t go to. Next thing you know, Martin bought the web domain and the rest is history.

The Party No One Came To will benefit Covenant and their ten unique services to foster children and former foster youth. Covenant serves foster children and youth that have “aged out” of foster care.  Covenant services include:

  • traditional foster care and placement through Covenant Foster Care
  • mentoring services to children and youth ages 10-24 through Jeremiah Mentoring
  • family preservation and prevention services to families in reunification and youth exiting care through CARENET
  • housing and support services including case management for youth ages 18-21 through Building Blocks
  • transitional housing services and case management for youth ages 21-24 through CHOICES Transitional Housing Plus
  • employment and training  in food and coffee services, sales and supply chain management for former foster youth through Covenant Coffee
  • employment and training services in media, journalism and sales for former foster youth through Covenant Media
  • mentoring and social skills development for youth ages 18-24 through the Covenant Horse Program
  • mental health services to minor children through Covenant Therapeutic Behavioral Services
  • food, education and clean water for 25 orphans in Tanzania, Africa through the Covenant for Tanzania Children

As you can see from the extensive list, Covenant and their dedicated staff are very busy. This is where the community steps in and provides both volunteer hours and financial support. Only three of Covenant’s programs receive State or County funding. The remainder of the services and supports, provided to the nearly 250-300 children and youth Covenant reaches daily, is from the generosity of the general public, private foundations and grants.

The Party No One Came To is the year-end campaign designed to meet the needs of Covenant going into 2013. With the extensive list of on-going services and new programs being developed, Covenant needs financial help to meet the needs of foster children, former foster youth and their families. The Party No One Came To is one way you can get involved. Each dollar raised through the Party will go toward expansion of employment services for former foster youth. Currently, Covenant provides housing and related services to 62 former foster youth ages 18-24. Employment for the youth can be a challenge without the needed experience and education. Through Covenant’s innovative work, mentoring and entrepreneurial programs, over 35 youth have been trained and employed. But, we can do more!

The Party No One Came to hopes to raise over $100,000.00 through sponsorship, online donations and auction bids. These funds will translate into job creation and skill development for former foster youth. Although statistics state that most foster youth are unemployed following foster care, Covenant hopes to have programs in place to eradicate that issue. Three unique service designs are Covenant Coffee , Covenant Media and future mobile coffee routes. Through expansion of Covenant’s existing operations, Martin hopes to employ another 20 youth in 2013 through Covenant Coffee alone. To support this endeavor, Covenant needs the funding to purchase vehicles, new locations and train youth.

So, this holiday season think about giving back to a population many have forgotten. Think about supporting a youth no one else supports. Think about supporting the former foster youth of Kern County with your tax-deductible donation. The suggested “cover charge” for the Party No One Came To is $25.00 but many can give more to help Covenant restore lives and transform generations. Let’s do our part in helping Covenant fulfill their mission of “providing hope and love to abused and neglected children” and make sure hope lives here!

The Party No One Came To has unique auction items ranging from naming your own coffee blend to a Baseball Getaway to Wrigley Field. To sign up and bid or donate go to www.thepartynoonecameto.com. You can also give directly to Covenant by sending a check to: Covenant Community Services at 1700 N Chester Ave, Bakersfield, Ca 93308. Lastly, go to www.covenantcs.net to view current events at Covenant and to give today by selecting “Donate Now“.

Team from Covenant and Crossroads goes Glocal

August 7, 2012 • HQ of Hope • by
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We are headed back to Tanzania for another round of ministry. Below is critical information for our time including purpose, travel, plans and prayer needs. The team will be just two … Pastor Ken Souers, of Crossroads Christian Fellowship in Bakersfield, California, and Randy Martin, ICM USA Board Member, Covenant for Tanzania Children Founder and Covenant Community Services CEO.

The team will travel to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and visit the Covenant for Tanzania Children (CTC) Orphan Home that is a partnership with International Christian Ministries of Tanzania (ICM-TZ). The team members will preach in different churches Sunday and  then travel seven hours into the interior to Mafinga. In Mafinga, the team will hold a four-day conference with local church leaders before travelling back to Dar to preach in different churches. The fast-paced journey will end as flights leave back to the USA on Monday evening!

Thanks for covering the mission to Tanzania in prayer. We are expecting great things from God and to use us to bless the African church, leadership and orphans.

We believe God is going to impart spiritual truths to pastors and church leaders for their growth and impact. We also believe our work will impart community and compassionate ministries to the local church as we engage them in resisting religion and walking in wonderful relationship with Jesus Christ.

We I will be traveling to Tanzania to teach through International Christian Ministries of Tanzania (ICM- Tanzania). Our main purpose is to train existing pastors and church leadership. Our extended purpose is to encourage the ICM Tanzania ministry staff and leadership and to visit and supply the needs of our partner ministry Covenant for Tanzania Children (CTC).

To share the current situation for children in Tanzania consider the quote from an article in the Guardian by Alex Duvall Smith citing an international study conducted last year,

Now for the first time, an African country – Tanzania – has subjected itself to international scrutiny of the rates of mental, physical and sexual violence suffered by girls and boys, and their impact.

The study (pdf), published on Tuesday by Dar es Salaam’s Muhimbili University in collaboration with the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, finds that nearly three out of every 10 girls and nearly three out of every 20 boys in Tanzania claim to have experienced sexual violence.

Almost three-quarters of girls and boys questioned had experienced physical violence before the age of 18 at the hand of an adult or an intimate partner. Around 25% had been subjected to emotional abuse by an adult during childhood.

Guardian Article: Poverty Matters Blog

Our Purpose

To come along side the African Church, through teaching, training and encouragement, for the purpose of equipping pastors and church leadership for the salvation and discipleship of Africa. To engage the faith-filled in Tanzania to replicate the ministry of Covenant in Tanzania … to move people from “pew to purpose”!

The Orphan Home

We will be visiting the staff and team at Mamma Teddi’s to provide encouragement, needed supplies and to purchase cows, chickens and other goods for the home.

Please pray for: health and safety, our teaching and training of local pastors, Mamma Teddi and the orphans she serves, favor in purchasing cows, chickens and other items for the home,  meetings with the Covenant team in Tanzania, ICM-Tanzania ministries and James and Mary Kamau.

About Covenant Community Services

Covenant Community Services, Inc. (Covenant) is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) social service organization serving foster children, former foster youth and their families in Kern County and through replication efforts, the United States and the world.  Covenant provides hope to foster children, former foster youth and families through a diverse and creative team of dedicated individuals. At Covenant, our purpose is transformation of lives and thus our community.  Covenant meets the needs of “hurting and hopeless” children/youth and families through partnerships with local churches, community-based organizations, individuals and businesses. Covenant exists to transform our community with the love and hope one child at a time! Learn More at www.covenantcs.net

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