TouchGlobal Initiative: Mobilize

The TouchGlobal team is welcoming Bethlehem EFC and Easton EFC as partners for the Mobilize Initiative!                                                                     

Bethlehem EFC's Mobilize team

 

 

So, what is TouchGlobal’s Mobilize Initiative?

We need volunteers and teams who can quickly mobilize for extended periods of time to help with the immediate to longer term needs following a national crisis.    

Have you experienced the mission field in a new way through TouchGlobal? Are you passionate about helping others in a time of crisis, and putting those people over the projects?

Easton EFC's Mobilize team

Will you join TouchGlobal in creating a ready reserve network of churches that are prepared to mobilize and respond to crises?

How You Can Accept the Challenge:

• Commit to being part of a team for early response
• Commit to respond for 2 weeks to 1 year following a crisis
• Engage in a team covenant & meet regularly as a team for equipping and serving
• Help us recruit district and regional coordinators and resources!
• Attend TouchGlobal training
• Serve in a TouchGlobal location
• Contact TouchGlobal@efca.org

We are so thankful for the volunteers that come to serve, and we are praying for those volunteers to have the desire to come alongside us and respond in times of crisis.

 ”Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’” Matthew 9:37-38

 

Tornadoes Strike Again in Alabama

 It’s amazing to think that less than a year ago, Alabama was devastated by EF5 tornadoes that tore through neighborhoods and lives. Just 4 days ago, their worlds were turned upside down again. I heard a story about a man who had just handed over his last check to his contractors who were rebuilding his house from last April’s twisters. The next day, his home was hit by one of these tornadoes.

Pray for those whose lives are broken. But also, pray for the Body of Christ to have hearts that break for others.

If you would like to send a team to Alabama please email touchglobal@efca.org.

To learn more, visit our tornado relief website.

Pray. Give. Go.

 

One Story from a City on a Hill

Time for another amazing God-story! How great is our God? His light reaches even farther than we can fathom!

Dave

In July of 2011, we finished one of our homeowner’s homes in New Orleans. We had been working on Dave’s home for a little over a year. The transformation was incredible. It went from a building located on an overgrown, messy lot, to a home filled with people who had the love of Christ in them.

The transformation in Dave was even more amazing, truly a testimony to

the work that Jesus is doing in New Orleans. When we first met Dave, he was introverted and did not seem to trust us. When we worked on his house, he sat there on an overturned bucket day after day, just watching us. A year later, he had Christ. His joy was unmistakable and his smile was constantly there, unlike before.

Since we finished his house, Dave has been growing in his faith and been a light to his family and neighborhood. Recently, two of his nephews were shot and killed. One nephew was killed over a dispute about some tires right around Christmas. The young man worked at a car shop with a couple of his brothers. Dave heard those brothers talking about taking revenge and going after the person who was responsible for the death and Dave suggested that before they do anything, they should pray. When the group was done praying, Dave told them that taking revenge would be a bad idea. He said that it would only bring pain and sadness to their family and the family of the person they would hurt.

As Dave told one of our staff members this story, it was mentioned to him that God put Dave in the right place and at the right time to use him. Dave looked up and said, “Well, I learned it all from you guys.”

Dave, his son Michael and his wife, Bridget

Again, how great is our God? It’s awesome to see the fruit of investing in a person’s life and bringing them back into their home. Because Jesus gave us the opportunity fix up a house, his light shines into places we wouldn’t be able to get to.

Pray that our ministry will keep glorifying God in this way. Pray for Dave and his family as they grieve loved ones and influence those around them. Pray for more teams and pray that hope continues to enter the neighborhoods of New Orleans.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14

 

Interns (Re)Unite!

In the summer of 2011, TouchGlobal was blessed to have seven interns in Haiti and New Orleans. Last week, those seven college kids came to New Orleans from all over the United States to serve together in one city. From California, to Pennsylvania, with Illinois, Minnesota, South Dakota and Kansas in between, they were all together at once for the first time. All this because of a vision our Director of Interns, Katie Hooks, had. TouchGlobal’s first summer of interns was a success and we are eagerly awaiting more interns to serve this coming summer.

The seven Haiti and New Orleans interns with Katie Hooks, Director of Interns for TouchGlobal

After hearing stories and even seeing growth in these former interns, God’s hand in this program is evident. Almost all of the interns will be returning this summer to work with TouchGlobal, and one is already on staff in New Orleans. Praise God for His faithfulness and the work He is doing in each of us!

Want to learn more about the Internship Program with TouchGlobal? Email katrinarelief@efca.org

Pray for God to raise up a generation of young people who would be interested in coming on staff with TouchGlobal as interns.

Also, keep an eye out for our internship promotional video that will be coming within the next couple months!

 

 

A Very TouchGlobal Christmas

Katie and former summer intern, Keri

During one conversation with another staff member, the question was brought up: “Why do teams like to come to New Orleans the week after (or sometimes during) Christmas?” It’s hard to tear yourself away from a nice holiday vacation with your family and friends in order to serve a different community and culture.

Crossroads Church from California working on the Castle Rock site

But, if you think about it, it’s the perfect time to come! “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28

As we think about Christ’s birth and his gift of salvation, we should also examine our own lives and what steps we are taking to mirror Christ. How are you furthering his kingdom in your personal life? Where do you feel God is calling you?

Our New Orleans teams are from Maryland and California this week, and it’s been a blast so far! We’ve been working on Castle Rock’s future church building with Urban Impact, Miss Cammie’s house and Miss Valorie’s house.

What an amazing God we serve! Our prayer is that He will continue to bring more and more people to the city of New Orleans to help restore hope to this community. Thank you so much for your prayers and support. We hope your Christmas was blessed and this new year will be blessed as well!