Shining the Light in the Sunshine State

FBC Palmetto

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14, ESV) Jesus came as the light of the world and called his followers to shine his light for all the world to see and to know.

His light was very evident in the Sunshine State over the past few weeks! First Baptist Church of Palmetto, FL near Bradenton conducted its first Inasmuch Day on Saturday, Feb. 27. You can read about it from the local newspaper here, and you can see it at from a TV news article here.

More than 400 members worked together to be the hands, feet, eyes and heart of Christ as they fanned out across Palmetto creating a Compassion Revolution in their community. It is always amazing when the value of such volunteer hours of ministry are calculated – current IRS value of a volunteer hour is $23.07! Those 400 plus volunteers generated over $36,000 worth of service making their community a better place by serving the unserved, loving the unloved and reaching the unchurched!

Some of those hours included: helping nonprofits with maintenance and landscaping, mulching in public areas, sewing comfort bags for seafarers, holding a free yard “sale,” writing encouraging cards for community and national first responders and soldiers, collecting food, car service, and even a blood drive.

Delton Haynes, coordinator of the FBC Palmetto Inasmuch Day, said the church plans another Inasmuch Day next year and expects to double the number of volunteers.

While FBC Palmetto conducted their first Inasmuch Day, Inasmuch United Fort Myers – an hour or so south of there – conducted their fourth United Day March 5. Six downtown congregations pooled their efforts and worked together moving their faith into service throughout the city.

Fort Myers UnitedOne of the most significant ministry projects, which has grown annually, is the preparation and packing of 150 “We Care Packages” for area children in foster care. Lifebooks were prepared, “no-sew throws” were created, toiletries, and other items that help children feel loved and connected were prepared to fill those packages.
The “We Care Packages” were one of 45 projects completed through Inasmuch United Fort Myers 2016. CityGate Ministries, Covenant Presbyterian Church, First Christian Church, Grace Central UMC, Mt. Hermon Ministries, and Thomas Alva Edison Community Congregational Church have partnered together to be a transforming movement of compassion in the greater Fort Myers area.

Plans are already under way in Fort Myers for 2017 with the vision of creating new clusters of churches to expand the impact of Inasmuch United Fort Myers.

As you look at the pictures, the news articles and clips consider how your church can become the hands, feet, eyes and heart of Christ in your community. Will you become part of the Compassion Revolution as we transform our communities by modeling the life of Christ through serving the unserved, loving the unloved, and reaching the unchurched? Operation Inasmuch Inc. can come alongside your congregation to prepare you and empower you for just such a ministry of compassion. Call us or email us and we’ll be excited to come along side you as you expand your impact for Christ.

United Fort Myers volunteers finishing up the last no-sew blanket.

United Fort Myers volunteers finishing up the last no-sew blanket.

United Palmetto crews hard at work.

Palmetto crews hard at work.

Banners are a great way to promote your event.

Banners are a great way to promote your event.

Written by:
Bobbie Jo Mitchell

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