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It has been well noted throughout the centuries dating back to the apostles in the New Testament that the mission of the church was to reach out to the world around us with the message of the “good news” or gospel. Jesus explained in three of the four gospels about what is commonly known as the “Great Commission”. In Matthew’s gospel, written after the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the command is sure: Matthew 28:19-20 (King James Version)
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
The gospel according to Mark explains this commission as such:
Mark 16:15-16 (King James Version)
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Luke the Evangelist explains his view of the “Great Commission” in the following verses:
Luke 24:45-48 (King James Version)
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And ye are witnesses of these things.Luke further stresses the power of a Holy Spirit filled witness in his writings about the Acts of the Apostles:
Acts 1:8 (King James Version)
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
As the bible teaches throughout the book of Acts, the message of the cross: repentance, baptism by immersion, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit was obeyed in several locations noted in Acts 2, 8, 10, and 19. Peter went on to explain in Acts 2:39 that the promised plan of salvation was available to “you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call”.Quite honestly, the message in today’s media outlets is very negative. Good news usually does not make it to the people of today’s world. It would seem to the common citizen that there is nothing but death, destruction, and a vast array of crime taking place. New Life Church in Watkinsville is a Christ centered church founded on the word of God and believes that it will take more than an emotional experience to make it through until the end. The message to the world coming from our outreach team has been and always will be an inspired, uplifting message about the “good news” and what wonderful things God is doing.
On May 30 and June 13, 2010, our outreach team started services at a facility in Athens, Georgia known as the University Rehabilitation Center. Over the first two sessions the following personnel from New Life were present to see the Great Commission fulfilled right in our area:
Scott Strawn
Jeff Jordan
Marsha Jordan
Chris Greenwood
Howard Hammond
We have been so pleased with the music and testimonies by this great group of Christians. Marsha Jordan has blessed the patients with some great southern gospel songs. Scott Strawn has led the congregational singing with many of the old gospel hymns and Chris Greenwood has led anointed prayer sessions. Scott Strawn and Steve Russell always have a positive message of the gospel to bring to these fine people. The services have ended with prayer for many of the patients who are sick or need encouragement. New Life wants to express our sincere appreciation to the fine staff of this facility for inviting us to come and bring some sunshine to some lonely souls. Throughout this article, you will see pictures of the outreach team in action. Please continue to pray for them as they reach out to Oconee, Clarke, and the surrounding Georgia counties.
