By: Dr. Jeff Fuller
Driving through the area of Panama City, parallel to the Gulf of Mexico, I saw blue tarps still covering the roof of many homes with some windows broken by trees still uprooted in several yards. As my route turned into what is called The Cove houses were being repaired, piles of debris on the curbs, houses empty as residents have either abandoned their property or have not reached an agreement with the insurance company.
Hurricane Michael roared into the Gulf of Mexico on October 9, 2018 as a late season storm that was not expected to turn into 160 miles per hour sustained winds on the Florida Panhandle. It made landfall the next day in Mexico Beach, Florida, the Category 5 (upgraded from a Category 4 on April 22, 2019) hurricane was the strongest storm of the season and the third-most intense Atlantic hurricane in decades. Damage estimated at approximately $15 billion from both the wind and flood wreaked havoc on homes, businesses, commercial properties and throughout communities.
We were in Panama City for our annual youth trip and this year it was to do a Mission Vacation Bible School with the Cove Baptist Church. Our task was simply to show them Jesus by being His “hands and feet” in the midst of the aftermath of such devastation now 8 months later. Through the specially tailored material we shared the basic gospel message that Jesus is still with us, loves us, and desires a relationship that is eternally lasting for each person who will put their faith and trust in Him.
Our teens did an outstanding job of sharing Jesus with 16 children as they developed conversations and made connections with not only the children, but parents as well.
We also shared a Bible Study with 13 adults during our time at The Cove. The material was specially designed with the church and the area in mind, as we explored the book of Nehemiah and his work in mending broken hearts.
Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the King in a foreign land when he heard that his home, Jerusalem was in shambles with the walls in rubble and the gates broken down. His heart was heavy, and the King gave him permission to go and lead the city in repairing the walls and the gates thus making it safe for the citizens and give them confidence God was still with them.
In the book we find that Nehemiah gained a vision of the condition and what needed to be done, he led the people to rebuild in the midst of strong and at times dangerous opposition, and he brought the people together to celebrate the God of heaven and his provisions for the city.
This is the same thing God does for us, in our time of life. He sent His Son to be a mender of broken hearts:
“He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As usual, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to Him, and unrolling the scroll, He found the place where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. And the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on Him. He began by saying to them, ‘Today as you listen, this Scripture has been fulfilled.’” Luke 4:16-21 (HCSB)
“Today…this Scripture has been fulfilled.” It was His mission:
- To proclaim the Good News of the Gospel;
- To heal the broken hearted and set the captives free;
- To give sight, both physically and spiritually.
He came for all people, all races, all situations. No one is beyond His grasp. And neither is it for us. We have been called to the mission of reaching out in love and care and compassion to those who have hearts broken, who are needing to be set free from some heavy load or chained in some besetting sin, and to give them sight to see the Savior who is lifted up for them!
Rockford Baptist Church extends to all who helped us with this recent mission trip a very heartfelt thank you. Because you gave to us; we were able to give “to the least of these.”
Until next time…