MERCY Worldwide Day of Service
Guest Editorial: Ken & Cheryl Chin, MERCY Worldwide Coordinators

Written by Ken Chin on July 5, 2009 – 12:00 pm -

Editor’s Note: Please pray for our Howard University campus ministry that has grown from 1-8 disciples since February!  To God Be the Glory!   — Andrew Smellie, Evangelist

“For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena.  We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men.   We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ!  We are weak, but you are strong!  You are honored, we are dishonored!  To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.” 1 Corinthians 4:9-11

What a resume the apostle Paul held!  Consider his work experience and job description!  Consider his references!  His work ethic and educational background (Acts 22:1-5) would have undoubtedly caught the attention of the world but given Paul’s social issues would probably have deterred potential employers from requesting an interview!  His zeal and passion for God and the church often brought him to clash with religious leaders and Roman government officials of his day.  As a result, most people would not want to spend a day in Paul’s sandals, as he devoted his life to advancing the kingdom of God after being baptized into Christ.

Paul’s life teaches us that passion and contentment in your relationship with God is not limited by your circumstances or situations.  Paul voiced his convictions when he recorded these words:  “I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty.   I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.   I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12, 13

Paul and the other apostles – our heroes in the faith & spiritual fathers – often times were homeless, yet had such great influence on businesswomen like Lydia of Thyatira (Acts 16:13-15), men of the Areopagus (Acts 17:34) and the educators and the educated in the lecture halls of Tyrannus (Acts 19:9-10).  As wearing the name Christian is a privilege, so is serving the poor and helping the needy in our community!

On Saturday June 20, 2009, the disciples of the Washington DC International Christian Church, through our benevolent arm – MERCY Worldwide – had the privilege to give back to our community by volunteering our services at the Central Union Mission, a homeless shelter in Washington, DC.

Many volunteers on Saturday morning had devotionals to prepare their hearts and minds.  They looked at how Jesus gave and served the poor.   It is convicting and sobering to consider that one wrong decision, a poor judgment call or overindulgence in our sin without the support of close, loving family and friends can lead us down a path to destitution and homelessness.   Friendships, gratitude and love come to mind when I consider the church, our spiritual family, where the example of meeting needs is portrayed in Acts 4:34 in the statement “there were no needy persons among them.”

Being one in heart and mind (Acts 4:32) and sporting our navy blue MERCY Worldwide T-shirts to show our solidarity, we set out to not only give of ourselves, but to make a difference in the lives of the people we served and with whom we came into contact.  At the homeless shelter, we helped prepare and serve food, cleaned, swept floors, folded sheets and towels, and shared our faith with the residents.   The time spent was inspirational and a vivid reminder of how grateful we need to be as disciples of Jesus.

The disciples were eager to serve and several stayed well beyond the time requested by the shelter.  Many were inspired to return on a regular basis to lend a helping hand.  After taking pictures and thanking the patrons for allowing us the opportunity to serve, we said our goodbyes.

As we made our way back to the U St/Cardozo Metro Station where many of us met that morning for singing and prayer, we couldn’t help but be grateful to God.   As disciples, no matter how challenging and complicated our lives, our relationships, our finances, for others it can be so much worse.  The passage of scripture in Matthew 6:25-34, rang out loud and clear.  “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink… But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness…” The things that tempt us to worry are not unimportant, God just commands us not to worry about them!

As we walked, a gentleman noticed our MERCY Worldwide T-shirts.  Despite heading in the opposite direction, Ralph Dantley turned his vehicle around and met us at the light as we made our way in the crosswalk.  He asked what group we belonged to and this sparked a conversation.   We talked about the church, MERCY worldwide and our nationwide day of service.  Mr. Dantley was invited to visit our worship service and arrived early the next morning.  Ralph was eager for the sermon notes and God willing will study the Bible. Mr. Dantley has a heart for the needy, sick and homeless and founded the Good Success Servant Services, a non-profit charitable organization in DC.  Please pray for Mr. Dantley to be unified on the word of God with us as God continues to seek and save the lost through our efforts to serve the poor and needy in DC!  And to God be all the Glory!

Ken & Cheryl Chin
MERCY Worldwide Coordinators

Posted in Articles | No Comments »