VISION
Sharing God’s transforming love to the least of these in our community Matthew 25:35-40
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ First Baptist Church of Geneva exists to reach, connect, equip and serve. We, as a church, strive to serve “the least of these” as Christ identified them. The model set before us calls us to serve in community with one another, both around the world and here in the Fox Valley area. At times, we miss the astounding reality of just how many of our neighbors are the least of these, in need of Christ’s love and care. Christ set the example of serving for us. In Matthew 20:28 he said, “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve...” In order to live like Christ, we too are called to serve the least of these around us out of an overflow of love for Jesus Christ. This year, our church is excited to unite together in a year-long SERVE challenge entitled “The Least of These.”
For more info: ggilbert@fbcg.com
Whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me
INDEX Adopt a FBCG Missionary
The Least of These Serve Challenge: Overview • This year, small groups are invited to participate in “The Least of These” Serve Challenge.
Help the Homeless Visit those in Prison
• Small groups choose a cause to adopt for the ministry year.
Remember the Forgotten
• Further information on each cause can be found on the pages of this packet.
Befriend the Refugee
• Once a cause is chosen, groups will sign a commitment form for that cause. • Each group will then partner with local ministries by participating in 2-4 serving opportunities throughout the year. • Groups will connect with the Local Serving Director, Gretchen Gilbert, in order to determine which four serving opportunities best fit your group.
Look After the Sick Care for the Poor Feed the Hungry Love the Children Find your Fit Next Steps
Note: On each page you will find a list of suggested serving opportunities. These lists are by no means all-inclusive. Once a cause is adopted, serving opportunities can be catered to your group specifically.
For more info: ggilbert@fbcg.com
Ministry Partners:
ADOPT A FBCG MISSIONARY
FBCG families are faithfully serving around the world they do can often be a thankless FBCG has over 30 missionary job. If your group chooses to families serving across the adopt a missionary this year, world. The role of FBCG you are committing to is to support these 30 supporting the missionary missionaries both Missionary financially and families serve family. Small acts of kindness can make all the across the spiritually as they globe difference to families living dedicate their lives in out Christ’s commission to service to furthering the reach the unreached. kingdom of God. The work
SERVING OPPORTUNITIES...
PRAYER
Commit to praying for your missionary family as a group
For more info: ggilbert@fbcg.com
ENCOURAGEMENT LETTERS
Write letters of encouragement periodically throughout the year
Debbie and Mike Abbs Bubs and Bobbie Borman Rick and Sue Borman Erik and Tammy Burklin Brian Cheney Anita Deyneka Hussam and Martina Fakhoury Dan Griebel Matt and Michelle Harrison Art and Dorothy Helwig Paul and Ana Hill Eric and Janet Johnson Josh and Allie Johnson Yohanna and Dina Katanacho Jason and Tracy Knox Ed and Jan Kotynski Andrew Leman Brock and Nancy Luginbill Chris and Elizabeth McKinney Rich and Judy Olenik Gideon Para-Mallam Emily Scatterday Bryan and Rachel Smith John and Carrie Smith Tri and Emily Truong Richard and Gerry Walton Rebekah Warner Alys West Nat and Abby Wibberly Joel and Barbara Wright Jayson & Lindsay York
CARE PACKAGES
Prepare care packages full of goodies for your missionary that FBCG will ship
HELP THE HOMELESS
Ministry Partners: Hessed House Lazarus House Wayside Cross
Homeless families in your area are seeking the support of homeless ministries An estimated 750,000 people in the United States roof over their heads and families are forced to choose are homeless on any given night. As the economic between basic needs. The ministries with which turmoil in this country increases, homelessness FBCG partners are working to break the cycle increases. The fastest growing population in of homelessness and help these individuals the homeless community are families. Many and families attain permanent housing and Break the cycle of families have lost their homes in the sustainable income. Partner with one of homelessness recession and lack the support system these organizations to reach your homeless necessary to regain consistent income and neighbors and create a support system to save shelter. Men, women and children are without a families from chronic homelessness.
SERVING SERVE A MEAL OPPORTUNITIES ...
Prepare and serve a meal at a homeless shelter
For more info: ggilbert@fbcg.com
LEAD A BIBLE STUDY
STOCK SHELTERS
Prepare for and lead a group Bible study for the homeless
Keep homeless shelters stocked with muchneeded goods
VISIT THOSE IN PRISON
Ministry Partners: New Life Corrections Young Life
Bring hope into the darkness by sharing the love of Christ with those in bondage Over 600 people in Kane County are currently ministries dedicated to reaching the lost. If you in local jails or state prisons. Additionally, over choose prison ministry, you are committing to 600 young people are living in juvenile partnering with these existing ministries to Prison ministry detention centers. Prisoners in our support local prisoners and their families. changes lives neighborhood are in desperate need of The simple act of volunteering can be the forever emotional and spiritual support. Many catalyst for change in the lives of prisoners prisoners are able to find the love of God and seeking a new path and support system. begin again with changed lives due to the support of
SERVING OPPORTUNITIES...
FAMILY MINISTRY
BIBLE STUDIES/ HOLIDAY WORSHIP SERVICES PROGRAMS
Serve and support inmate families
Participate in worship or Bible study for inmates
For more info: ggilbert@fbcg.com
PRAYER TEAM
Put on special Commit to praying programs for for local inmates inmates 2-4 times and their families this year
Ministry Partners: Alden of Waterford Rosewood Care Center Countryside Care Center Elmwood Terrace Jennings Terrace Maplewood Care Provena Geneva Care Center Master’s Hands
REMEMBER THE FORGOTTEN Senior citizens and widows in our area are the forgotten of our community Close to 2,274 people are living in nursing Widows and widowers, invalids and lonely people homes in Kane County. Many of them receive and the elderly in our community can be Connect at physical care, but lack emotional support. reached with the simple gift your time. If a local These are the forgotten. Without family and you have a heart for the lonely and nursing home. friends to visit, the elderly in nursing homes forgotten, consider committing to this Share joy. are often very lonely. They desperately need a ministry and bring joy to the lives of those you friendly face to provide comfort and friendship. serve.
SERVING OPPORTUNITIES...
GAME NIGHTS
Plan a game night at a local nursing home every other month
For more info: ggilbert@fbcg.com
BIBLE STUDIES
Host a Bible study for the forgotten in your area
SHARE MEALS
Share a meal with residents at a local nursing home
BEFRIEND THE REFUGEE Ministry Partners: Refugee Partners
For an international missions experience in your own backyard, serve refugees Due to the resettlement efforts and support of and insurmountable pain. While World Relief World Relief, there is a growing population provides for many of those needs, FBCG’s Families of refugee families living in Kane County. ministry Refugee Partners (formerly RAFT) from all over These refugees have fled unimaginable the world live further meets the needs of refugees in our down the persecution and often arrive in the US with community. By partnering with refugee street few to no belongings, little or no knowledge ministry, you are committing to support some of the English language or American culture of the most vulnerable people in our community.
SERVING OPPORTUNITIES...
GOOD NEIGHBOR KITS Assemble 2-4 good neighbor kits throughout the year for new families
For more info: ggilbert@fbcg.com
REFUGEE KID’S CLUB
Put on programs for refugee children
SPECIAL EVENTS
Plan and execute special events for refugee families
SKILLS WORKSHOPS Workshops for refugees in *Car repair *Homemaking *Computers *Life skills
LOOK AFTER THE SICK
Ministry Partner: Love & Action
People hurting from HIV-AIDs exist across the world and down the street Nearly 18,000 people are living with AIDs in the progressive weakening of the immune system and there United States. The Love in Action ministry is is no cure. What people with HIV-AIDs need dedicated to to meeting the needs of those in most is a loving support system. By providing Be a hand of our community with HIV-AIDs. This this support, the Love in Action ministry is comfort to the ministry supports community members with unique and life-changing. If you have a heart sick HIV-AIDs and their families physically, for the sick and hurting in your community, emotionally and spiritually. HIV-AIDs is a partner with this cause for the year.
SERVING OPPORTUNITIES...
ADOPT A FAMILY
Serve a local family dealing with sickness in your area
For more info: ggilbert@fbcg.com
HOLIDAY CARE PACKAGES
Prepare Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter care packages
PREPARE MEALS
Prepare meals for families in need
CARE FOR THE POOR
Ministry Partners: Riverwoods Riverworks Compassion in Action
Fox River families are crying out for support and resources to fight poverty While poverty is oftentimes more difficult to Through these outreaches, families are given the see in the comfort of the plush suburbs, it opportunity to overcome hardship. Needs are exists in our county, just as any other. met through relationship-building ministry. Fox Valley families are in Advocacy, support and much-needed Around 9.3% of people living in Kane desperate County are living in poverty. The resources are provided for these Fox Valley need Riverwoods/Riverworks ministries and families. Taking part in these ministries makes FBCG’s own Compassion in Action ministry are a significant difference in our communities and dedicated to reaching the poor in the Fox Valley area. helps bring families from poverty to hope.
SERVING OPPORTUNITIES...
WORK PROJECTS
Participate in work projects at Riverwoods camp
For more info: ggilbert@fbcg.com
MOVING HELP
Help families in Fox Valley move
SKILLS WORKSHOPS COMPASSION
Help with workshops for budgeting and car skills
Interview clients seeking financial help OR commit to praying for families
Ministry Partners:
FEED THE HUNGRY
Feed My Starving Children Compassion in Action
Across the street and around the world, people are going hungry and we can help Hunger is an issue that needs to be addressed both pantry is able to keep local families from hunger. in the Fox Valley area as well as across the Providing for hungry children around the world, world. Fortunately, there are ways to get Feed My Starving Children packs meals involved and fight world hunger without Put a stop to specially designed to promote healthy world hunger growth in starving children. Packing events having to travel very far. The Compassion in this year Action ministry provides for the needs of are a simple plug-in with high reward. families in the Fox Valley area through the Partner with one or both of these ministries food pantry. Providing for immediate needs, the food this year and take a stand against hunger.
SERVING OPPORTUNITIES...
FOOD PACKING
Participate in food packs at the FMSC center in Aurora
For more info: ggilbert@fbcg.com
FOOD PANTRY STOCKING
Stock and volunteer at the Compassion in Action Food Pantry
FOOD PANTRY EXTRAS Write encouraging notes and verses for food pantry clients/ commit to praying for families
Ministry Partners: Royal Family Kids
LOVE THE CHILDREN Reach the vulnerable, neglected children in your area alongside Royal Family Kids Children are among the most vulnerable members of our community. Yet oftentimes, they are abused and neglected by the very people they trust to keep them safe. These children are living in foster care situations, or in high-risk home situations. First Baptist Church of Geneva has been home to a highly successful program called the Royal Family Kids
SERVING OPPORTUNITIES...
Camp. The camp is designed for these vulnerable children to have positive adult mentoring Have a relationships. Due to the growth of Royal positive Family Kids, the program has expanded to impact on abused include middle school and high school children students in Shining Stars and The Summit. Positive relationships can change the course of the lives of these vulnerable children.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Create special presentations for retreats/gatherings
For more info: ggilbert@fbcg.com
CUSTOM OPPORTUNITIES
Work with Royal Family Kids Directors to create custom serving opportunities suited to your group
FINDING YOUR FIT A guide to suggested serving opportunities best-suited for your group
While each group is able to choose from the wide range of serving opportunities, this page provides suggested partnerships that might be the best fit for your group.
DTP/D-GROUP • Adopt a Missionary • Help the Homeless -Prepare meals -Stock shelters • Remember the Forgotten -Plan game night at local nursing homes -Share meals with the lonely
C-Groups • Adopt a Missionary • Love the Children • Befriend the Refugee -Special programs • Visit those in Prison • Help the Homeless -Prepare meals -Plan a bible study • Care for the Poor
Families • Adopt a Missionary • Feed the Hungry -Pack food at FMSC -Food pantry • Remember the Forgotten -Plan a game night at a nursing home
For more info: ggilbert@fbcg.com
NEXT STEPS As a group, discuss the various serving opportunities. After prayerful consideration, vote as a group for your cause. Sign the commitment form located in this packet. Meet with Local Serving Director, Gretchen Gilbert, in order to learn more about specific serving opportunities and to connect with local ministries. Plan your four (or more!) serving opportunities with your group. Remember: creativity is welcome! We want groups to work with our ministry partners to create unique serving events that are best-suited to the God-given talents of each group. Participate in the Commissioning Sunday service. Send updates to Gretchen Gilbert throughout the year to highlight the great serving opportunities in which your group has participated. We want to share your
Choose your unique serving opportunities!
work with the rest of the church! Serve the least of these in your community.
Important Dates...
October 23
October 2-8
November 20
Meet with your groups and discuss the project
October 17 Signed commitments due
For more info: ggilbert@fbcg.com
Commissioning Sunday Have first serving opportunity planned
CONTACT INFO: Gretchen Gilbert GGilbert@fbcg.com 630.232.7068 ext. 144