When searching for a faith congregation to call home, there are several key things usually taken into account: sound teaching, strong ministry groups, engaging worship, good coffee (OK – I’m mostly kidding about that one), and a welcoming culture. These are all important things to most people who are searching for a church to belong to.
I would venture to add one more thing to the list – something that I personally believe every Jesus follower should be looking for in their church: tangible ways that the congregation loves those in need in their community. In other words — do they love their neighbors with open arms?
Years before I joined the Board of Family Promise of Greater Wichita, my family was on a search for a new church home. We were specifically looking for one with a thriving children’s ministry to bolster our efforts in raising our kids with a solid, foundational faith. We had a few important things that we were looking for, and one of the things that was non-negotiable for me was that the church had to be a partner congregation with FPGW.
Family Promise was still pretty new to the Wichita community, but I knew that as part of a nationwide network of affiliates, it was part of a strong organization that had earned a solid, trusted reputation. I also knew that it was an excellent way for churches to engage their congregants in important community efforts both inside and outside of the walls of the building.
For me, this is clear evidence that a church is being intentional and putting effort into being the hands and feet of Jesus in the community…that they know there is more to being the Church than just what happens on Sunday mornings in their building.
We found our home at Pathway Church, a longtime partner of FPGW and a supporter of multiple local outreach efforts. What we found by looking for a Family Promise church was a congregation that actively seeks ways to serve our Wichita community well. We continue to see this play out at our church and it makes every aspect of our congregation better and more effective because of these efforts.
Even in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen our church and other FPGW partner congregations find creative ways to serve and wrap their arms around the hurting in our community. This is a direct extension of the foundation of hospitality, generosity, and care that is exercised by being a part of the Family Promise network.
Not every congregation has the ability to function as a host site for Family Promise guests, but every church has the ability to support community efforts like this in one way or another. As you seek to grow in your faith, I implore you to be sure that your church is engaged in the important work of following Jesus’s final command from John 13: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
If you are looking for a church home that works as a partner of Family Promise of Greater Wichita, or if your church would like more information about becoming a partner, check out our Host and Support Congregations page here. https://familypromisewichita.org/host-churches
Beth Schafers is our Board Secretary and Communications Team chair. She is also a school secretary and actively serves with several local organizations aiming to make the Wichita community better for all. You can reach her at beth@familypromisewichita.org.
