Operation Inasmuch Is Catalyst for Change

            In October, 2007, Providence Baptist Church of Harrisburg, NC, a bedroom community of Charlotte, did Operation Inasmuch for the first time with 115 people involved and 14 projects conducted.  Janis Carpenter, a member of Providence, said, “It sounded like a pretty large undertaking, but the more we talked about it, the more we realized the needs out there in the community are not being met.”
            Since October some things have changed at Providence.  Pastor John Cashwell says:  “Operation Inasmuch has given our people a different vision of how mission work can and should be done.”  He reports that many of his members are much more aware of the needs of people in their community than prior to October.  He says he has wanted to lead the church to transition toward being more missional and Operation Inasmuch has provided the impetus for that transition.
            For example, prior to OIAM their Senior Adults were primarily a “going” group (taking short, recreational trips together).  Now they are engaged in ongoing ministry.  They have reached out to the residents of a local retirement home involving them the church’s Christmas events, their annual banquet, and providing transportation for those without it. 
            The church has also diversified their financial support of missions to make more funds available to conduct local ministry.  Their understanding of missions has changed to include the priority of providing hands-on opportunities for the Providence members.  The church has seen their image in the community change as a result of their new external focus and they have seen new people attending in part because of this new emphasis.
            In April, Providence will participate in the North Carolina Operation Inasmuch involving more than 500 churches.  Providence has intentionally scheduled their DiscipleNow weekend emphasis for the teenagers to coincide with Operation Inasmuch.  Instead of doing fun activities on Saturday, this time the teens will participate in Operation Inasmuch with more than 100 youth involved.  Clearly, Providence Baptist Church is not the same church they were a year ago.
           

Watch and listen for more information about the Inasmuch Network, your ticket to the most effective community ministry your church can offer. 

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