When she read “Drive-Thru”, she knew that this was for her.
by Pat Blankenship
Last week, “The Dittos” Wed. morning bible study at Loveland United Methodist Church stepped outside of their comfort zone to let their light shine for the Lord. Standing on the sidewalks outside of LUMC and in the upper parking lot, they let their light shine on everyone traveling up and down Lebanon Road between noon and 1 pm so that the people could see their good deeds and give praise to our Father in heaven.It was a cold and light snow flurry Wednesday as twelve members of the bible study ventured outside to open up LUMC’s first "Drive Thru Prayer Stations". Our mission was to share the transforming love of Jesus with persons in our community who were in need of prayer, need of healing, need of hope, need of love, need of assurance that God is with them, ... simply in need.
Here’s a glimpse of what happened on week 1: Three members served on the sidewalks in front of “the church on the hill” and in our church drive, by waving at passersby and inviting them to "Drive-Thru". Holding large signs that read “Pull in 4 Prayer”, they waved with excitement, and offered a smile. As the hour went by, a few persons drove in for prayer, many motorists waved and smiled as they drove by, and there were several honks and toots of the horn, as to say “Praise to the Father in heaven”. We were affirmed in our ministry by their responses and pray that all those that passed by, whether they stopped or not, received the light that was being shared with them which hopefully brightened their day and helped them to extend the light onto others.
We had two prayer teams, two members each, and persons serving in hospitality. Our prayer teams received three cars on week 1. God gave us the opportunity to be the “light of the world”, to be His instrument of hope, blessing, and comfort through prayer to persons from our community and congregation. The prayer teams were truly blessed to serve and thanked God for sending persons to LUMC for prayer that day. One motorist shared that she drove past the church and saw the people waving her in for prayer. She felt nudged to turn around and come back. She was in need of prayer and here there were people ready to pray with her. Another person commented how she “was in need to have someone pray with her, but with two small children it’s difficult to get out and go in for prayer”. When she read “Drive-Thru”, she knew that this was for her. She and the children could remain in the car and there were persons ready to minister to her in her great hour of need. A gentleman that stopped in for prayer thanked us for serving in this way and “being a blessing”.
We also had a team of prayer warriors serving inside looking onto the parking lot and praying for the ministry as it was going on and helping with the logistics of set up, take down and hospitality.
You're invited to "drive thru for prayer" at Loveland UMC from Noon to 1 PM each week in Lent. We will be outside in the church parking lot ready for your arrival, ready to pray with you and extend a warm welcome along with some refreshments to share, so if you're stopping by on your lunch hour you won't go hungry!
This is just one example of the many lights that are beaming into the community from the faithful ministries that are being led at LUMC. God calls each one of us to be a beacon of His light and he has blessed us with the gifts to do so. And it's so beautiful to see how God works through each of us, especially when we're serving together...we burn so much brighter! How is God calling you to let your light shine so that others will be led out from the darkness?
In closing, let me leave you with a link to song on YouTube that encourages you to take your candle that God has given you and “Go Light Your World”, sung by Kathy Trocolli , music written by Chris Rice. This song has been a very special part of my faith journey. Click here to listen. May it be a blessing to you too! Enjoy!
Shining His Light with you,
Pat Blankenship
