When seeking God’s guidance for making your church relevant in the community, be prepared to embrace His leading, even if it entails last-minute adjustments.
Fitchburg church pastor Jonathan Nino experienced this firsthand during a scheduled prayer brunch at his church in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, on January 21, where he and the church family had initially planned to discuss church matters. However, the Holy Spirit led Myra Omeler, who attends the Fitchburg church, in a different direction. Omeler serves as the Atlantic Union Conference Ministerial Spouses Association director and is the wife of Pierre Omeler, Atlantic Union Conference president. She had been fervently praying with members of the Fitchburg prayer line for opportunities to help people in need—particularly the homeless and migrant communities.
An opportunity arose when Christine Victor, a local doula who attends the Gardner church in nearby Gardner, Massachusetts, connected them with migrant families in need, including several expectant mothers. With funds from the North American Division Hope and Compassion Evangelism Grant and donations from the community, church members pooled their resources. They turned the brunch into a multi-lingual worship experience in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole. The church members and migrants prayed together for God’s intervention in their lives and blessings on the expectant moms. Following the service, blankets, diapers, and baby supplies were made available to the families. The families were deeply grateful to receive the supplies.
What was initially planned as a simple prayer brunch transformed into an occasion to address the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of families in need. The Fitchburg church praises God for the opportunity to share His love. Omeler expressed her encouragement at witnessing the collaboration of the church community, making the ministry effort a reality. God answered their prayers.
_____________________
—Debra Banks Cuadro, communication director and Gleaner editor, Atlantic Union Conference
