Matthew 5:14-16
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
The other day, Cindy read an article about outreach a church was doing post COVID. She was excited to find out we were doing many of the same things in our church as well. In our Ephesians study, “Getting the Church Inside People,” we have been exploring ways to reach out to the world around us and shine the light of Jesus in our mid-valley community.
For us, that has looked like taking breakfast burritos to Memorial Elementary school, Central Middle School and Weslaco High School to thank teachers and staff for all the hard work they did over the crazy COVID year we just finished. We plan to serve as many schools as we can, so if you are a teacher, we’ll get to your school eventually.
For me it looks like serving in the Weslaco High School band boosters and trying to respond to inter-personal problems that arise in a large organization with grace, love and humility. The other day I had a great conversation with a parent that allowed me to invite them to our church. I don’t know if they will come, but I love reminding people that true joy in life comes from following Jesus.
For some of our office staff and church members, it looks like participating in the Borderline 4H Texas Heat Rabbit show that helps students prep for the RGV Livestock Show. Casey Parker recently asked, “Dad, does the church sponsor the rabbit show?” The answer is that FBCW does not officially sponsor the Rabbit show, but as long as church members are participating in it and helping run it, isn’t the “church” kind of does sponsoring it after all.
You don’t need to deal in burritos, bands or bunnies, but you are the church wherever you go. You have the opportunity to shine your light before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Ray Sanchez is the Pastor of Worship and Administration at First Baptist Church in Weslaco. He currently serves as Band Booster President for the Weslaco Panther Corps and can be regularly found in the south concession stand at Weslaco High School home games or announcing for the band for away game half-time shows.