The Reason We Do What We Do
Do you ever get so busy that you forget what you’re really supposed to be doing?
In Christian work, there’s a term we use called “ministry drift.” Simply put, this happens when we spend too much time doing other projects or things — things that might be good — but that aren’t the main focus of the ministry.
It doesn’t matter how long the ministry has been around, how well-established it is or even how big or small the organization is. If we aren’t careful, ministry drift can happen.
Sometimes the Christmas season can get so busy that we find ourselves drifting. We’re planning parties and organizing food, arranging decorations and buying gifts. Before we know it, all we’re doing is party planning and have lost the true meaning of Christmas.
Don’t get me wrong — I love the Christmas season. And our holiday parties serve as great opportunities to minister to young people and their families in our community. But it’s not just about the parties and the presents and the food.
Recently, I received a phone call from a young man who was in my Breakfast Club several years ago. He’s a college student in Tallahassee and just wanted to check in to see how I was doing. We talked for a while about all of the time we spent together when he was growing up, and he brought up how much fun he had at the Breakfast Club Christmas party.
I asked what his favorite part of the party was, assuming that he would say the gifts or the food or the chance to play basketball. But his answer surprised me.
His favorite part of the party was when I read the Christmas story about a boy who could not say no to Jesus. He shared how the story impacted him and how he would always have room for Jesus at Christmastime.
More importantly, he told me that he accepted Christ that morning at our Christmas party.
This is the real reason that Leverage Ministries does what we do. Sure, the parties are fun, and we appreciate all of the good food and fun games, but without Christ, we have no reason to celebrate.
Please continue to pray for Leverage Ministries — that we would stay focused on pointing these hurting teenagers to Jesus and that we will always share the true meaning of Christmas to the abused, abandoned and arrested teenagers in Polk County.
Thanks for your prayers and support this past year. On behalf of the Leverage Ministries board and staff, we wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
In His Service,
Scott Hirdes
Executive Director