It is time to stop limiting ourselves based on what we have always done. When we surrender ourselves to the will of the Holy Spirit, join us in balancing the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. It is time to love the neighbors that do not look like us. It is time to feed the poor, fight for the oppressed, and treat each other with the dignity God created in them. It is time to look at our friends on earth as they will be in heaven. Join us on this journey of grace, love, and service. It is your turn to say, “Lord, here I am.”

“Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8, NLT)

To love each other deeply is to also serve each other. It’s putting aside our selfish kingdoms and bringing them together as one. Our greatest  call to love is expressed through John 13:34-35 to love others well. 

   “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:34–35, NLT)  

Too often, we confuse the Great Commission and the Great Commandments, preferring to view the mission field as an exotic location far away while ignoring the mission field in our backyard. There is a great love of talking about the good Samaritan without the love for the Samarian who lives next door, neighborhood, or community. To love others well means we must walk alongside those unlike ourselves in our communities; to fully love our neighbor means living in proximity to their journey. 

Love begins with empathy, love in our dreams is easily poured out into reality. Our dream and prayer is to pour out love to the refugees and immigrants to welcome them into our communities and homes as they settle into a new life here. Proximity breeds empathy to allow love to be their final fight for freedom. We are willing to go the extra mile to welcome others.