Many people laugh when I first tell them about what God has called me to....ministry to the community of video gamers. Now I know what you are thinking and its the same thing my pastor thought when I first felt the call; you just want to play video games, and you are addicted. Now I have been addicted in my life to many a things, and video games has been one of them. I know that God uses all of us according to His plan, and He has shown me a unique way of reaching his people. I know that I am in the first throws of developing a plan for this ministry type. It is new ground, new territory, there is no book you order to help you get started.
For the past year and three months, Stephen and I have worked weekly to establish a safe and uplifting environment in which to engage this community. Monday nights we gather together and from 6-10pm we gather together in fellowship. Our connection is breaking down barriers through a common interest of video games. We don't force religion, we don't force participation, we just are present. We are open and available, we are accepting and caring, and we don't ask for anything in return (not even for food!).
I know that if I trust in God, he will provide. We don't get regular contributions from the church, we don't recieve a weekly allowance. We just receive what is given. We could ask, petition, require a weekly fee. But where is the trust in God? For some God asks them to seek out financial means, for others, God asks them to fully trust that He will provide. This ministry is not widely accepted or utilized. I know that not many people will support this ministry. But I know that I serve a big God. I know that God is my provider.
It seemed really out of the blue when I started working for Sbux too. I mean I didn't really think that work can be a place of ministry...but it can! Ministering to people doesn't mean a constructed classwork approach. It means being there for other people on a level that isn't common, even though it should be. My being present in people's lives when they might not have anyone else is the least I can do for those that I work with.
Maybe, just maybe, God has a plan. Maybe when God called me to the Ministry He knew I would work my way towards Sbux. Maybe God knew that I would feel that full-time vocational ministry wasn't my calling. Maybe God knew that the community around Sbux is a very similar community to the video gaming community. Maybe God had a plan on along. Maybe God is not finished with me. Maybe God knows more than I give Him credit for. Maybe there is Hope.
How refreshing Hope can be.
For the past year and three months, Stephen and I have worked weekly to establish a safe and uplifting environment in which to engage this community. Monday nights we gather together and from 6-10pm we gather together in fellowship. Our connection is breaking down barriers through a common interest of video games. We don't force religion, we don't force participation, we just are present. We are open and available, we are accepting and caring, and we don't ask for anything in return (not even for food!).
I know that if I trust in God, he will provide. We don't get regular contributions from the church, we don't recieve a weekly allowance. We just receive what is given. We could ask, petition, require a weekly fee. But where is the trust in God? For some God asks them to seek out financial means, for others, God asks them to fully trust that He will provide. This ministry is not widely accepted or utilized. I know that not many people will support this ministry. But I know that I serve a big God. I know that God is my provider.
It seemed really out of the blue when I started working for Sbux too. I mean I didn't really think that work can be a place of ministry...but it can! Ministering to people doesn't mean a constructed classwork approach. It means being there for other people on a level that isn't common, even though it should be. My being present in people's lives when they might not have anyone else is the least I can do for those that I work with.
Maybe, just maybe, God has a plan. Maybe when God called me to the Ministry He knew I would work my way towards Sbux. Maybe God knew that I would feel that full-time vocational ministry wasn't my calling. Maybe God knew that the community around Sbux is a very similar community to the video gaming community. Maybe God had a plan on along. Maybe God is not finished with me. Maybe God knows more than I give Him credit for. Maybe there is Hope.
How refreshing Hope can be.
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