Our Engage Memphis Fund began in 2006 with a big vision. We sought to speak to the souls of people, yes, but we also sought to minister to the whole person in every aspect of life. After all, this is the example Jesus left us. In His ministry, He often chose to heal a person's physical condition before speaking to their spiritual need. Sacrificial service is the power of the Gospel and is the model we follow.
But with such a big vision, our dream of serving peoples' physical and spiritual needs was way bigger than the weekly offering plate could support, especially for a church that, at the time, had only a couple hundred people. How could we invest in a huge way through-out our city, engage with those in crisis, and invest in future leaders and churches both across the city and world? Something beyond the weekly offering had to fuel the dream.
Last year we collected $120,000, a fund large enough that it was divided into five categories for use: crisis, education, Kingsbury High School, local investments, and National/Global missions and church plants. The EMF fund gave us the opportunity to support the education of the next generation of leaders and help "level the playing field" in the marketplace between minority and majority cultures.
This year, our goal is $150,000 spread into five major categories:
• Benevolence and Crises Response
• Outpost and Church Planting
• Initiatives for the City of Memphis
• Missions and Global Leadership
• Training of Next Generation Leaders
Raising $150,000 is a huge step for us, one that requires prayer and faith. But it also requires plenty of work on our part. The Scripture's analogy of the hardworking farmer is fitting: we go out and work but wait for God to send the rain.
So prayerfully join with us in this initiative to dig deep, give above and beyond, pool our resources and make these strategic initiatives a reality.
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