Later today, several families and individuals from Zion will be heading to Des Moines, IA, to work with Urban Plunge (CFCI) ministries. We want to support our brothers and sisters in Christ, and spread a passion for reaching out in His love and mercy.

Why would people sacrifice a weekend out of their life, leave the comfort of their homes, and go serve in the Lord’s mission among people who are very different from us? Because of how great our missionary God is! We serve our Lord Jesus, who sacrificed not just a weekend, but gave His life. We worship the Son of God, who didn’t just leave his four-bedroom rambler, He left the glories of heaven to rescue us on earth! We follow the Prince of Peace, who doesn’t just serve people who are different from Him, He serves His enemies and ransoms them from every tribe, tongue, and nation (Revelation 5:9)! And when we follow Christ, He calls us to follow Him.

Pray!

Even if you didn’t go with the Urban Plunge team, you can still be a part of their mission by supporting them in prayer. On Friday, pray for safety in logistics, planning, and travel to the Des Moines destination. Tonight, they will be going to the Children and Family Urban Movement (CFUM), which works amidst one of the poorest, and more racially and ethnically diverse neighborhoods in Des Moines. The mission of CFUM is to create a community that supports children, youth and their families through education, healthy living and community engagement. Pray that God would use them in the “Haven” after-school program, and give each team member the right words to say as they interact with people over meals, cleaning, and other service. Lastly, pray that God would open their hearts through the “Letter to a Prisoner” program, remembering that Christians have a special ministry to those in chains (Hebrews 13:3).

On Saturday, pray that the Lord would provide a deep sense of spiritual growth during devotions, journaling time, and the Prayer Walk. Pray for the team as they interact with several local agencies, like the Des Moines Area Religious Council, which works to meet basic human needs through the distribution of food. They work with over 130 congregations from 4 different faith traditions to “Move the Food” all over Des Moines. They will also work with the DMCW community, which opens their church homes for those in need of food, clothing, bedding, a shower, or a cup of coffee and conversation. They engage in activities that foster social justice, and our team will help distribute bags of vegetables to the poor. The team will also work with DMARC, the “Thankful Leper,” Joppa Outreach, and Meals From The Heartland. Pray that as the team debriefs over what they witnessed and experienced, that the Spirit of the Lord would grant wisdom to understand what they’ve been given.

On Sunday, pray that the team would be able to sleep, grow in Christ through worship at Corinthian Baptist Church, and then receive travel mercies as they return home.

Support!

There are so many ways to support missions at Zion. You can give financially. You can go. You can pray. But more important than what you do to support the mission of God, is to make sure that you do support it!

Do you want to serve the Lord through missions? Contact us or get in touch with our Mission & Outreach committee. Let us take up our cross and follow Christ as we joyfully proclaim His excellencies for all to hear!