Dallas Church Mobilizes Largest Number of OIAM Volunteers

Concord Church, Dallas, Texas, now holds the distinction of mobilizing the largest number of their members in a single Operation Inasmuch event in June, 2007. On the occasion of the church's 32nd anniversary, more than 1,300 volunteers conducted 24 projects throughout the Oakcliff section of Dallas.

Pastor Bryan Carter said: "My prayer was that God would help us find some kind of effort that will get most of our members engaged [in community ministry]." When reflecting on Concord's day in June, Pastor Carter said: "Operation Inasmuch gave us the structure and strategy to accomplish what we dreamed about. [It] allowed us to engage 1,300 missionaries in their own backyard."

Concord called their event "Make a Difference Day" in accordance with the church's theme for the year: Make a Difference Through Missions. Some of the projects they conducted are refurbishing a halfway house for young men, holding a baby shower at a teen pregnancy center, assembling and sending "care packages" to the military, free car wash and car maintenance, job fair and health screenings. Not only did these project meet some of the physical needs of their neighbors, but several of these neighbors became Christians as a result of this ministry.

David Crocker, Executive Director of Operation Inasmuch, trained the leadership team at Concord for their event. They said: "The book and video are priceless. They are great tools for churches."

Pastor Carter said several weeks after their event, "People are still talking about it. New friendships were made among members, new ministries have been started (Nursing Home Ministry and Military Care Package Ministry). Our church attendance has increased. The members feel excited again!"

Concord is already making plans to conduct another community blitz day in their church and plan to have even more people involved. As often happens in churches where the Operation Inasmuch model is utilized, members of Concord are more aware of community needs than before and more open to using their time and resources to meet those needs. More information is available on the church's website: www.concorddallas.org.

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