LOVE THY NEIGHBOR
A note from our CEO,
Pastor Jim Chapman
There once was a farmer who grew award-winning corn. Each year he entered his corn in the state fair where it won top prize.
One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him and learned something interesting about how he grew corn. The reporter discovered that the farmer shared his seed corn with his neighbors. “How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbors when they are entering corn in competition with yours each year?” the reporter asked. “Why sir,” said the farmer, “didn’t you know? The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn.”
Jesus taught that it was impossible to love God and not love your neighbor. When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your soul, mind and strength. Close behind was the second: Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31-32). How is it then that we can be concerned about God, yet overlook what our neighbor may need?
To this question, Jesus’ point was quite simple yet profound: you cannot say you love God yet hate your neighbor. The Apostle John adds that “anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:20).
This February at Christ’s Body, we want our homeless guests to know that we love them. More importantly, we want to tell them that God loves them too. In turn, our prayer and hope is that they will take God’s love with them and love their neighbors.
The corn farmer got it. He knew that his neighbor’s corn would be better by cross pollinating with his corn, and vice versa. Corn pollen was his way to love his neighbor. When we love our neighbor, we give away God’s love to others. Sometimes, it’s unappreciated or rejected. But more often than not, it bears fruit in ways that we do not expect. To love my neighbor is an attitude from God. Who knows-perhaps your neighbor needs corn pollen, a plate of food or a place ahead of you in the morning traffic?
The COVID pandemic has changed many things. One thing that has not changed are the needs of our homeless friends. We continue to be on the front lines. Our goal has always been to love the homeless, seeing them as worthy individuals, worthy of love and dignity. Thanks to you too for your love for these homeless individuals and your prayers and support for the work of Christ’s Body Ministries.
Pastor Jim
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NEW HORIZONS IN CIVIC PARK |
This month has brought many new happenings to our Civic Park Outreach!
We were delightfully surprised by some new faces within our outreach teams.
One of our newcomers, Lisa, just happens to be an amazing barber, and she showed up one Wednesday morning with her scissors, clippers, and the full show in hand! She set up her barbershop open-air style – giving haircuts to our dear friends and even singing worship music and sharing stories with them! Having Lisa on our team added a special touch and enabled us to show love in a new way to our dear friends. Just having the opportunity to sit in line with gentlemen waiting for a haircut and having more time to share stories and pray was a real blessing.
We also were blessed to receive a donation of “Prayer Scarves” from a local church. These handknitted scarves are another way to reach out to our friends, sit down and have a chat, offer to pray with them, get into the Word, and point to – or celebrate - new life in Jesus.
We are so grateful to be given these new additions to our outreaches this month. It's the little (actually, the really BIG) touches like these that bring new delight in coming alongside our guests, loving them and pointing to Jesus. For this we are grateful!
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If you can say anything about Gerry Bodine, it is that he is passionate about God’s work. He loves Jesus and he loves people, especially people who are in need of help. Gerry has been volunteering in a myriad of capacities at Christ’s Body for three going on four years. Historically Gerry would be down volunteering multiple days a week in our day shelter. COVID sidelined Gerry temporarily, but you still will find him at CBM every Wednesday helping make burritos and sorting clothing to go out on outreaches.
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When asked how he came to Christ’s Body Ministries, Gerry says he has known about this ministry from the Bruce McBogg (the founder of CB) days, but only started volunteering here when he retired in 2018. Gerry says, “I like working with the staff and other volunteers. I like getting to know our homeless guests. I like the appreciation I receive when volunteering.”
One pleasant surprise that we have figured out about Gerry is that he is a huge connector of people. He is the first of our new "CBM Ambassadors" because he constantly brings new people to volunteer, donate clothing, and financially invest in Christ’s Body Ministries. When asked why he is constantly bringing people here, he says "most everyone has a heart for the homeless. People like to know of a trustworthy ministry where they can be supportive. It could be prayer support, donating, or volunteering in person. If someone new gets involved I know they will not be disappointed." CBM needs the support of as many as possible to thrive and survive. Our volunteers are the heart of our ministry. The talent, love for God, and compassion are on display through our volunteers like Gerry Bodine.
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Paul Gonzales, our new Director of Outreach Ministries, and Howie take time to catch up during our Wednesday morning Civic Park Outreach.
Howie comes from Colorado Springs and is wintering in his tent in downtown Denver. Howie is a dear, gentle soul. Having the time to even just begin to get to know someone as special as Howie is truly a blessing.
Howie's birthday was last week! Happy Birthday, Howie. We love you.
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