This Wednesday, LCA kicked off our Faith-in-Action initiative that will launch 100% of our students to participate in a yearlong service project. Students across all grades are narrowing in on the community partners and projects they will pursue for the remainder of the school year, and met this week to learn more about Christ’s model for serving our communities. In four groups, students heard devotions and summaries of opportunities from faculty leaders, and then reflected on their assumptions, questions, and hopes for the projects that lie ahead. Read summaries of the scriptural inspiration for each of the four Faith-in-Action tracks being offered to LCA students this year:
Crowns of Glory
Serving: the elderly
Led by: Christopher Greco
“Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.” – Proverbs 16:31
Students serving the elderly this year will be members of the Crowns of Glory Track. Scripture speaks at length about the wisdom and glory reserved for the elderly. The Psalms focus on the transmission that happens from generation to generation. We listen to elders and then we pass along the legacy.
It is possible that some people we interact with may not be positive examples of faith and a godly life, as referenced in Proverbs. The Psalms passage references people who have turned from God. We want to be open to interacting with everybody, not just the faithful but also those who may be in a darker place. How can we serve and bring blessing even to those who may be bitter or difficult, and how might we learn from their negative example?
Tov
Serving: God’s Creation
Led by: Nelio Franco
“God looked over everything he had made; it was so good, so very good! It was evening, it was morning— Day Six.” – Genesis 1:31
Students serving the environment this year will be members of the Tov Track. The name “Tov” (Hebrew for good) connects to the declaration in Genesis that God’s creation is good. God declared our world good and has set us in charge of maintaining that goodness.
Disguise
Serving: the homeless and hungry
Led by: Anneke Lujan
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” – Matthew 25:40
Students serving those in poverty this year will be members of the Disguise Track.
Scripture repeatedly tells us that God loves the poor and that he is with them. The Bible tells us that we are called to care for the poor and the needy, we are to have compassion because Christ had compassion for us.
God is at work in the lives of the poor, the hungry, and the homeless, and when we choose to be part of that work, we just might see Jesus in disguise.
Party
Serving: those with special needs & disabilities
Led by: Nate Grimley
“Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” – Luke 14:15
Scripture is clear that in the kingdom of God, all have a seat at the table. Heaven is described in the Bible (Revelation 19) as a glorious party where every person is welcome and sacred. Every person in God’s presence brings His Kingdom to life and makes the party even richer.
When people with special needs and disabilities are not welcomed by others, not only do they suffer, but so do those who did not invite them because they make the Kingdom of Heaven (the party) on Earth even richer.
How do our lives reflect heaven? How are we helping bringing the kingdom of God to earth?