The Working Church!

“When things are working in their intended design and purpose they will endure even in the most difficult of times.”

Story Time today…

I know a little boy. He is a very sweet young boy. Born to his parents late in life. His dad is a groomsman working in Beaulieu. When I met Sam* he was totally uneducated at age 4. He was shy, and unable to communicate effectively in his home language, certainly not in English. He hadn’t begun to learn numbers or letters. He was quite emotionally stunted in most areas. Why? Poverty and undereducated parents were robbing this child of a future. It is not the parents’ fault - they love their boy but couldn’t see a way forward for him.

A transport driver noticed this boy and brought his plight to our attention and asked for help. Sam* was enrolled in Urban Kids Educentre. Botshabelo’s (Urban Life Church) education plan for these specific underprivileged children. (The school is not only for children from disadvantaged backgrounds but the vision is to be able to accommodate them in this stimulant rich environment.)

A sponsor was found for him. His school fees were heavily subsidized. Sam* was at school every day. For 2 years. Thank you ‘Working Church’

He left last year - communicating effectively in his home language, totally fluent in English. I saw him bossing his class around, leading them into obedience to the teacher. Numbers and letters entrenched in his brain. Sam has a future. He loves school. He loves learning. He is in Grade 1 now.

Can I tell you about Henry? He is in Grade 10 now - only because of the intervention of Urban Kids! Ok - that is a long and beautiful story…

Am I boasting about Urban Kids? No - I want to shout out to those in Urban Life Church who Sponsor-A-Child which enabled Sam* and Henry to attend school. The Church giving to the poor, widows, orphans.There are opportunities every year for His people to be the ‘Working Church’!

“When things are working in their intended design and purpose they will endure even in the most difficult of times.”

What about the discarded, unwanted babies brought into the Babies Home at Botshabelo? The Babies Home is a safe harbour for those with no voice.

Thuli, Grace, Lethabo, Mpho, James…children. Our future.

Some arrive sick, weak, premature, abandoned, with no history. Botshabelo, Urban Life Church - the ‘working church’, reaches out her hand and welcomes them. Loves, feeds, cares, stimulates each and every babe - EVERY one. EVERY day. Giving them a history and a hope.

Am I giving a shout-out to our dedicated staff, caregivers, and volunteers? Yes and No.

I want to shout out to those in Urban Life Church who Adopt-A-Cot. Your generosity gives a small human hope and a future. You are Jesus’ hands and feet, Jesus’ eyes. His plans and purposes can unfold because Botshabelo, part of Urban Life Church, is a harbour for humanity. A ‘Working Church’!

“When things are working in their intended design and purpose they will endure even in the most difficult of times.”

These are 3 stories. This is on repeat every year. Botshabelo is God’s idea. It was birthed in Urban Life Church. If you belong to Urban Life Church - this is your story - past, present, and future. This is part of what you are building.

This is TOV

(Huh? Catch up on the past 2 Sunday messages)

The goodness of God & The unfailing goodness of God

In spite of “the most difficult of times” over these last 3 years - God’s intended design continues to work.

Babies being rescued. Children from economically challenged circumstances have been educated. Women uplifted in the ECD (Early Childhood Development) sector.

Dignity restored. Compassion. Hope restored.

Urban Life Church, Botshabelo - I salute you. You are working out God’s intended design for the Church. Working Church.

I was reminded of a poem.

This poem (more like a trumpet call) has resonated with me for years. It has impacted and marked my soul and brought hope for my spirit. My prayer is that you will read and reread this. Print it out. Learn it.

This is US.

The Bride Of Christ

She is the plan of God on earth; always in her Father's eye:

Cherished, mysterious, beautiful and potent beyond measure: King empowered and life infused.

She emerges triumphant; limitless with potential; a harbour for the hopeless and an answer for the ages:

The church resplendent – a bride for His Son.

She is the body of Christ on earth; born, like her Head, amidst tribulation, under jealous skies.

Cradled in her innocence and guarded for His purpose.

She grows in wisdom and stature with victory on her lips and freedom in her hands.

Hers is an unstoppable cause.

She embraces the world with dignity, honour and compassion; gives vision to the sightless and life to the dying.

She is the family of God on earth.

Within her compass, the hungry find sustenance and the weary receive strength.

She is a haven for recovering humanity, enthralled by grace.

She invites the broken, the vulnerable and the outcast to be immersed in love. She stands imperfect but perfection resides within her.

She is flawed but is washed with forgiveness.

She has a treasury of faith and a wealth of belonging.

She is the house of heaven on earth: A representative, resolute to reconcile.

The Word within her accepts the receptive but challenges the heartless.

She is the ecclesia, called out to serve the world: Calling out to welcome in. Blood-washed and armed with testimony, the cross on her lips liberates the chained and offends the unchanging.

Like her Master she is pursued and persecuted. Yet she rises with strength in her heart and fire in her soul.

She is the bride of Christ on earth; readying herself for the day when all eyes will be upon her.

Prepared and presented before the Lord: The Lamb for whom the world waits, who comes like the rising sun, majestic and magnificent beyond description, while she dazzles with reflected glory.

Spotless, perfect and mature, she bows low to cast her crowns and passionately worship Him.

Her temporal focus becomes her eternal gaze.

She is the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

– by Robert Fergusson

This leaves me breathless with hope. His Bride. Us. Dignity and honor He gives us.

Working according to His intended design.

HOPE.

Have a great week, eyes fixed on Jesus, hands at the ready to build His Church.

Wildly expectant.

Loads of love

Andy

*not his real name

PS

If you want to participate in the building of this Working Church of Jesus Christ here are the details.

www.botshabelo.co.za

For our reference mark your donation -

Adopt-A-Cot

Sponsor-A-Child