Mixteco? What?

MIXTECO(MEES-TEH-CO)an indigenous people group in southern Mexico that does not speak Spanish. They are an Indian tribe that has a tradition of Catholicism but not practicing. There are over 50 dialects within the language.

This people group has come to Alabama. There are an estimated 3000 Mixteco's in Central Alabama. A good portion of that group seems to be located here in Montgomery. They have come here to work so that they can provide for their families back home in Mexico.

THREE of our Montgomery churches have begun to reach out and FOUR of our Ministries are reaching them.

Pray for:

Eastern Hills Baptist Church

Ridgecrest Baptist Church
Yarborough Street Baptist Church

Community of Hope Ministry
Forest Park Ministry Center

Nehemiah Ministry Center

Shepherds Staff Ministry

The Lord of the Harvest has asked us to meet the needs of the sojourner and the alien. As scripture says: we were all once aliens.....

Pray for:

The Mixteco Task Force in Montgomery. We are continually educating ourselves on this people group and how we can serve them and show God's love in tangible ways. There is a page for Praying for the Mixteco People of Montgomery here on Montgomery.

If you like praying for people groups, here is one right in our backyard that we can pray for and minister to.

God is on the move in Montgomery! Come...join Him in what He is doing.

Peace along the way,

Lisa

"He executes justice........and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 10:18–19, ESV)

Montgomery Christians Alleviating Hunger

A young man of faith who had a dream about helping kids and families in Montgomery have fresh, healthy food. YOU can be involved too! Check out Montgomery's newest urban garden in the article below. Several churches and ministries have become involved in getting this garden set up. The next volunteer day is April 24th which will be some planting and doing some finishing touches. This is one of the ways you and your church can help alleviate hunger. Call Lisa Rose for more info on how to volunteer. 334-271-6794

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20100407/NEWS01/4070394/1007/NEWS01/Garden-to-grow-community-pride-

Here are a few facts that we all need to remember:

1. 17% of our population in Montgomery are living below poverty level.

2. Montgomery has recently been named the most obese city in America for 2010.

***These two statistics are related.***

Pray for ways you and your church can be involved in alleviating hunger in ways that are healthy and beneficial to low income families!!

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Matthew 25:31-33

"When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left. 34-36"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation.

And here's why:

I was hungry and you fed me,

I was thirsty and you gave me a drink

I was homeless and you gave me a room,

I was shivering and you gave me clothes,

I was sick and you stopped to visit,

I was in prison and you came to me.'

37-40"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.'

Dr. David Jeremiah started his sermon today talking about an enthusiastic Christian. This man used a sandwich board as a tool of evangelism. On the front, it said, " I am fool for Christ sake...." Many people scoffed at him and rolled their eyes....until the saw the back of the sign which said: "Whose fool are you?" Dr. Jeremiah went on to preach about the lukewarm church at Laodecia(Revelation) and todays consumer religion.

In a survey of 13- to 17-year-olds conducted from 2002 through 2003, the National Study of Youth and Religion found that 16 percent of respondents participated in more than one religious congregation. Four percent attend youth groups outside their congregations.

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Wonder how this applies to Montgomery?

Here are some facts:

1.We have about 500 Christ following churches in Montgomery.

2. Our population is about 250,000 in the metropolitan area.

3. Approximately 50% of our metropolitan area call themselves church goers. It may be lower than that according to some stats. That means that 50% or less are not attenders at all.

What does this tell us?

1. 1/2 of our population of this area most likely do not know Christ in a personal relationship.

2. Our society today is "consumed" with consuming. That lifestyle has spilled over into our churches. Experts tell us that most of the time, people look for a church to meet "their" needs, not as a place to serve and reach others for Christ.

What do we do?

1. Examine Isaiah 58 this week. What is "true" religion according to this prophet?

2. Examine our motives for being the "church"? Is it to become a disciple or meet social needs? Is it to worship the Lord or worship the service?

3. If we are consumers, how can we turn into disciples of Christ so that our city will know HIM through our lives?

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These are harsh questions for all of us to ask ourselves but if we are to truly be a "fool" for Christ as that gentleman so cleary stated in the beginning of this writing.....we must examine our motives and see if we are "consumers of Christ" or "disciples of Christ". We can't be both according to scripture.

Psalm 119:36-37

"Turn my heart toward you, oh Lord, and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things, preserve my life, according to your promises."

Psalm 139:23-24

"Search me and know my heart, oh Lord. Test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting."

PRAY THIS WEEK FOR HEART CHANGES IN OUR OWN LIVES SO THAT WE CAN PASS ON THE GRACE AND LOVE THAT HE HAS GIVEN US.