August 23, 2015

This week marks the beginning of the Academic Calendar here on the Patten Campus. At the end of our service today, we are going to be praying for the faculty, staff, and students who are beginning the Fall Semester and asking for the great Grace of Jesus Christ to rest upon His Servants! Afterwards, everyone is invited to enjoy the barbecue at the Student Center Plaza on the west end of our campus.

For over seventy years of ministry in the City of Oakland, and 50 years at this location, the Ministries of our Campus have always been expressions of FAITH, fostering an environment of LEARNING, and born out of a Heart of SERVICE. This service (ministry) to the Campus, to the Community, and to one another is an outgrowth of our Service to the Lord Himself. For the Child of God, Service is not simply a nice idea, a quaint concept, a sociological catch phrase; nor is it something that allows us to somehow feel more noble about having less pay. :-) Rather, service is the embodiment of our Faith because it is the expression of Christianity chosen by our Lord Himself.  Jesus said…

Matthew 20:28 ERV - Do as I did: The Son of Man did not come for people to serve him. He came to serve others and to give his life to save many people. 

It is very important, therefore, to recognize that Christian Service is not just an act of benevolence, social awareness, or religious discipline. Serving is part of the Christian Mission. We are called to recognize both the Brokenness of a fallen world and the profound hope given in our Redeemer: the Lord Jesus Christ. Ultimately, all of our service must be done in His name, for His glory, and to draw people into a living relationship with the living Christ. In its most fundamental capacity, SERVING is GIVING, and GIVING is LIFE.  

Matthew 10:42 NIV78 – And if anyone gives a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.
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