reaching our community

I work for a Domestic/Sexual Violence center as a Community Educator. It is my job to get the word out on things that are happening in that area and ways to stop it. It's my job to talk to elementary - middle school students about bullying, older middle school students and highschool students about healthy relationships. This is all for nothing if it is not re-inforced in their schools and in their homes. The bottom line in changing things in the world of domestic and sexual violence is the fact that we need to change social norms. We need to change society as a whole, but we can't change society as a whole unless we change individuals. On the flip side, we can't be totally effective changing individuals unless we change society. They work hand in hand in the big picture and there is no way to get around that.
In Acts 17:16-18 Paul was dealing with the same ideals in spreading the Gospel.
While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there"
Paul knew in order to see the Gospel spread correcty he had to see lives changed in the local church as well as in the community. There was no way for one to benefit fully without the other.
It's the same way with reaching a community. We will never reach St. Johns COunty as long as churches aren't changing individuals on a regular basis through BIblical teaching and nurturing young believers. We will also never reach and change individuals if we aren't impacting the community as a whole through our programs and getting involved in the local community. IT's a known truth.
There is one major difference between the endeavors I have at the Betty Griffin House and as a Pastor spreading the Gospel. When I spread the Gospel I am empowered by the Holy SPirit which is God's gift to me as a believer. So make sure you're in church every time the doors are open so you can be a part of the growing process, and get involved in your community so that you can reach those individuals and get them plugged in at your local church. Neither one will work without the other.

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!