First United Methodist Church

After a long drive we made it to Memphis! We are ready to get out and serve this week!

We had a great time worshiping with our friends at Friendship Baptist church this morning! We felt the Spirit moving in so many ways!

Cody even got to sing in the choir! Can you spot him?

Today we had the opportunity to partner with  Neighborhood Christian Center as they started up their summer camp program! We developed such sweet relationships with these awesome kids!

Over the last few days, we have been working alongside friendship Baptist Church to put on VBS! We have had the best time, loving on these kids, playing games, arts and crafts, singing, and most importantly, talking about Jesus!

After dinner tonight, Miss Rhoda joined us for a night of arts and crafts! She talked to us about the importance of being grateful and praising the Lord! She brought a bunch of Cross supplies from her home and helped us make these awesome gratefulness journals!

It's been another incredible day with God's children at Friendship Baptist church. We had the opportunity to teach the kids fun outdoor games. We played red-light-green-light to use some of our abundant morning energy. 

After our 1st day of VBS, we headed over to a vacant house in the neighborhood in need of some love. We deep cleaned the surroundings and inside of the home. Some of the neighbors even stopped by to hear about why we are here in the community and how God is working through us and Memphis. 

Pastor Green stayed for a while after dinner tonight to sit and chat. We talked about everything from hunting in South Dakota all the way to deeper conversations about Scripture. He even told us the story of how he and his wife met. 

As I looked over and saw this I was moved to tears. I could only think “THIS! THIS is it!”. It’s that moment of coming together in unity across culture and denomination to simply BE with each other and be UNIFIED in Christ! It’s in these moments that we get a glimpse of heaven and the Kingdom of God at work!

Before serving, we  had an opportunity to tour Calvary with "Chief". He gave the history, the present and the future. God's plan and blessings over Calvary has truly come to fruition. We stepped out of our comfort zones, and into the kitchen in order to bring a meal and God's love to the unhoused men of Memphis 

During dinner, we were able to sit with and talk to the men about life and most shared their story with us. Yesterday, was such an empowering God moment that the assumed gap between us and the men at Calvery was closed. We all swapped stories and worshiped together. There truly is no separation when God loves us all the same.

After a incredible week of ministry, we enjoyed a fun day around Memphis. We visited the Civil Rights Muesum and shopped on Beale street. We ate at Central Barbeque to end a great trip.