Saturday, Oct. 22 is National Make a Difference Day. This day brings communities, organizations and people together to promote change and improve the lives of Americans. Every Arkansan wants to equip and encourage others to serve and love their neighbors. The mission field is right where the Lord has you. Acts 20:35 says, “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Let’s be catalyst for the Gospel by loving our neighbors and impacting our communities for Christ.
Volunteer
Get involved and serve with other non-profits or ministries you are passionate about. Find where you wish to invest and get involved. Your time, energy and heart is needed by non profits. They need you to help reach their mission. To learn more about volunteer opportunities with Every Arkansan, visit everyarkansan.org/cityservearkansas or everyarkansan.org/ardc.
Bring a meal to someone in need
Cooking a meal is a simple way to show you care. This could be for the newlyweds, widow, the homeless or neighbor down the street. Our CityServe church partners have seen the impact a meal has on those in need. Maranatha Assembly of God in Shirley, Arkansas, uses plastic food storage containers to serve those in their community. “We often cook hot meals and send them on our bus routes to the unreached. We use the plastic containers that we receive from CityServe and stock them up with soups, casseroles, sweet treats and whatever else we have on hand for Wednesday night kids,” said Alicia Holt, CityServe liaison. Food brings others together.
Mentor
Kids, teenagers and adults need mentors in their lives. A wise mentor can teach, provide accountability, share advice and listen well. They can walk with you through all seasons of life and guide you through them. Not only will a mentor stand by your side, they will lead you in the path of scripture.
Encourage others
Encouragement builds others up. An encouraging word can change the trajectory of someone’s day and point them back to Jesus. Speak what you see in others because everyone is battling something. Whether this is written or spoken, encouragement can spur others on to step into where and who God has called them to be.
Pray for your community
Go to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to lead your city. Pray that those who do not know Him would find and believe in Him. Ask that He would transform your city for the sake and glory of His name. Pray that those who love Jesus would share the hope that is found in Him.
For more information about Every Arkansan’s mission in seeing others chase their God-given dreams, visit everyarkansan.org. Learn more about our two ministries and how we’re serving Arkansas.
