This Sunday will be a very special day that you don't want to miss. Teen Challenge will be with us, followed by a community meal. Teen Challenge is an international ministry started by the late David Wilkerson who was my pastor when Tiff and I lived in NYC in the early 90’s. David (author of The Cross and the Switchblade) founded Teen Challenge not just for teens but for men and women wanting to overcome addiction. It's a very intense 16-month discipleship program with houses all over the world. The success rate is off the charts in keeping people off drugs. This isn't surprising since we understand the power of God to change a life.
There is a wonderful women's Teen Challenge right in South Providence and the ladies will be with us this Sunday to share songs and stories that will move your heart. We are very close to many of these women and the staff that runs the home. Many attend Ren regularly. Be ready to be stirred by the amazing display of what God is doing in the lives of these women. This would be a great opportunity to invite friends and family.
Following the service we will have another community meal, this time with a summer BBQ theme. Meals are usually between $5-7 so bring a little cash or debit card. All the money generated is going straight to Teen Challenge. Ren will absorb the overhead as always. If you want to give more to this ministry, you easily can just add extra to the cost of your food.
I also want to remind everyone that this Sunday is the last week to give to our missionary of the month, Karen Nichols. Anything, whether cash or check, that you put it one of the colored envelopes will go directly to Karen and the great work she is doing in El Salvador.
Thanks for letting me constantly push us into greater generosity. I am very aware that talking about money can be a touchy thing especially in a church community. The reason for this is because some Christian leaders in America have been irresponsible and even corrupt in handling the generously given money of God’s people. That has resulted in suspicion and it’s understandable. The elders at Ren are very aware of all this and we strive to be excellent stewards of every dollar that comes in. So thanks for letting us talk freely about money. Our ultimate aim is to fuel the advance of the Gospel and bring great glory to God.