In a message I shared after the May 22 tornado, I said that I’ve never faced a greater challenge. I also said that if we work and pray together this tragedy could become Forest Park’s finest hour. God is moving us in that direction. As staff and volunteers from all three of our campuses have stepped up to help, we have become more unified. We are functioning as ONE church. God is working in powerful ways through our ministries.

We have helped dozens of members who lost their homes and possessions with financial and material needs. Those of us not affected by the tornado financially have been generous so that our church has ample resources to share with people in need. Baptisms have also been strong. The church is being the church. You have become the hands and feet of Jesus.

How many people a day was Forest Park helping before the tornado? Well, there were the people we visited in the hospitals, and on food pantry day we might help 10-15 families. But NOW…more than 100 families a DAY are served by Mission Joplin. God has multiplied our ministry. We have seen moms cry when we give them a broom or a toaster. We have seen people come to Christ. We have become a place of healing, hope and help. To God be the glory!

We do not yet know the financial impact that the tornado will have on our church. Some of our faithful tithers (tithers give 10% of their income to the church) lost their jobs or moved out of state. What I do know is that I have been tithing (and giving offerings above the tithe) for most of my life and I have found God’s promise to be totally true.

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” (Malachi 3:10)

What do we bring? “The whole tithe.” Where do we bring it? “Into the storehouse” (the place we worship). Why? “That there may be food in my house” (the church will have resources to help the needy). What happens when we tithe? God will “pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” If you are a faithful tither, thank you! If not, pray about taking this step of faith. Take God up on His challenge to “test me in this.” It feels good to trust God. It feels good to help people in need.

I love you!