Tonight was a fantastic night of service for those going to the Dominican Republic family trip this December. My girls, Gina and Emily, were able to serve alongside other families in checking the Magi boxes, making sure that they were ready for shipment.

But what really made the night was that the person who leads this ministry had the great idea of inviting Kohl's department store employees to come out and help us assemble these boxes. Kohl's, like a growing number of companies, emcourages/requires their employees to do community service hours. So they sent out six employees to come tonight to serve alongside us.

I struck up a conversation with several of the Kohl's workers. One, Stephanie, moved here a year ago from Colorado (on October 7--the same day that I started officially at Fairfax!). Stephanie grew up in Cambodia and was adopted at age eleven. And she lives in South Riding, where we live! It appeared that some in the group had an Arabic background, with at least one dressing in typical Muslim garb. If so, it was great to be able to hopefully exhibit God's love as we interacted with them this evening.

Another great thing from this meeting is that we were able to get to know each other a bit because we shared a meal together in the middle of the service project. Food always brings people together and allows conversation to flow and connections to be found. With one of the workers living in South Riding, and--my wife being a frequent Kohl's shopper--there is an opportunity to make a longer term connection.

Also, I asked the group if they would be interested in letting us know of other service opportunities at the church, including our Backpack Food ministry for Kids (our partnership at Brookfield elementary school, in which we provide good over the weekends for students in need), they said, oh, yes, we should do that! So we will seek to schedule this with the Kohl's manager. Over time, who knows who we might get to know, serve alongside, and share our faith with.

Remember in reaching out, that for many people today, they are drawn to service, and that may even be the first point of contact with someone in reaching them Christ. So don't just serve people--call others to serve alongside you. It is easy to ask, and you don't have to be a Bible scholar. Praise God for a great night! I pray that God helps bless these connections over the coming weeks and months!!!

How have you seen unchurched or seekers reached by inviting them to serve alongside with Christians?