Radical Hospitality

The Kids are Coming
I don't know who said it, or even if I remember it correctly, but it is firmly fixed in my memory. Our church facility was built when I was a junior in high school. What I remember is that leaders of the church said, "We want a building that will wear out before it rusts out." In short we want this building to be used actively to honor God, engage Christ, and serve the community.
The Kids are Coming
What wonderful job various property committees, women's fellowships, and the whole congregation has done to mainatain and improve our facilities. It is not a preservation effort, but rather a mission effort to provide hospitality to the Spirit that gives us life and purpose in Christ.
The Kids are Coming
For several months we have lifted up the five practices of a fruitful congregation by Robert Schnase. One of those practices is "Radical Hospitality." While the word radical has been associated with "extreme," radical primarily refers to "root." Hospitality refers to being "readily receptive," or "offering a pleasant or sustaining environment."
The Kids are Coming
Each school day this church is far more likely to wear out than rust out. Each school day at First Christian Church we are privileged to offer hospitality to three pre-schools. Early Childhood has beem here for many years (anyone remember just when it came to FCC?) and now a second related pre-school will begin to serve Ford County students.
The Kids are Coming
The third is our very own Busy Hands Pre-School with Director Deb Kirkpatrick. This year she is joined by new assistant teacher Tara Minion. It is exciting to see and hear these halls fill with the presence of children. It is exciting to know your encouragement of this mission to serve the children and families of the wider Gibson City area. With four pre-school now in Gibson City, we look for ways to preserve and strengthen the Busy Hands future. Please pray for the continued mission of Busy Hands. Please consider a special Busy Hands gift in support of the growing number of parents in need in our community.
The Kids are Coming
Share your memories and insights regarding Busy Hands past, present and future.
The Kids are Coming - Thanks be to God!