Lake Union calls for prayer and support for Oklahoma residents

The Lake Union Conference extends our heartfelt sympathy to the individuals and families who were affected by the EF5 tornado that touched down in the towns of Moore and New Castle, Oklahoma, and other Oklahoma City suburbs, on May 20.

The personal trauma from injury, loss of life and property will, no doubt, cause many to seek comfort and support. We encourage all to embody the directives of the Lord in Isaiah 61:1, to “proclaim good news to the poor” and “comfort the brokenhearted” as opportunities arise.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church will network with 55 other nonprofit members of the National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster. The Church’s specialty is handling donated goods and distributing relief supplies, and volunteers are currently operating a distribution center in Moore. Collection centers have been set up in several locations. If you would like to volunteer, please contact your local conference ACS Disaster Response coordinator to learn how to juncture with relief efforts.

The most effective and efficient way to help the Seventh-day Adventist Church assist victims of the tornado in Oklahoma is to make a financial donation to ACS Disaster Response. You may donate one of four ways:

• Visit www.communityservices.org.

• Call 800-381-7171.

• Mail a check to ACS, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904.

• Place a donation marked “ACS Disaster Response” in your church offering plate.

ACS Disaster Response has prepared fliers for churches to share with members. Fliers in French and Spanish will be available soon, too, at www.communityservices.org.

Please join the Lake Union Conference family who are praying that the residents of Oklahoma will be drawn closer to Jesus as His children share His love and their support in the aftermath of this horrific disaster. —Don Livesay, president of the Lake Union Conference

Mission, Spirituality, Connecting  

Have you considered the purpose of your local church? Why does it exist? If your church ceased to exist, would it make a difference in God's eternal plan? Would it make a difference to your community?

The benefits of a local church are numerous. It can provide an opportunity for corporate worship and prayer, build spiritual community and preserve meaningful traditions. All these are important, and many members are content to stop right there. But what if the Lord Jesus was physically present to lead a strategic planning session at your next church business meeting? What directions would He give for what the church should be doing in the immediate future? I believe He might take us directly to His focus: our mission.

Christ's primary mission was to secure our salvation. He left Heaven, emptied Himself to become human, took the risks, bore the pain, endured separation from His Father to atone for our sin and conclusively settle the Great Controversy. Throughout His life, Christ revealed the character of our Father as He constantly reached out to those around Him. He was externally focused on meeting the needs of people. And it didn't stop at the healing of physical ailments; it included forgiveness, hope and an invitation for a more abundant life with the Father. Read more.

NOTE: The message in this section is the Editorial written by the Lake Union president, Don Livesay, reprinted from the current issue of the Lake Union Herald. It will be updated monthly.