The Bright Spot Report: December 2020

Friday, December 18, 2020

Marvin Johnson Goes Beyond The Extra Mile!

Marvin is claimed by God!

Some folks go from “lost to found” in the blink of an eye. Then there’s those extra special guys who are destined for greater things that take a little longer. Marvin Johnson is one of those guys doing greater things.

He didn’t go from lost to found in the blink of an eye. God had to dip him in many different life-experiences to mold him into one of the greatest Compassion Deliverers the world has ever known. He’s the heart and soul of Compassion Ministries based at Church For The Nations Flagstaff in Arizona.

Everyday, yes EVERY DAY! Marvin is involved in loving a neighbor. In his home, in his van, in his church, where ever his heart is, Marvin is leaving some compassion in someone’s heart.

He delivers compassion boxes of food to folks in need. He orders extra food to deliver to a children’s home. He served up compassion at a protest that could have turned ugly. Every Sunday before church, his crew of volunteers serves a free breakfast. Marvin is always serving.

This weekend he’s serving volunteers, but he’s also serving as Santa Claus. He did his best to dye his hair white for the occasion. That’s just another example of Marvin going the extra mile. At Church For The Nations Flagstaff, we think it’s okay for Santa Claus to be in church. Especially when he kneels at the feet of Jesus.

Thank you Marvin Johnson for who you’ve surrendered to be, a once lost man who’s been found in Christ. Our city, our country and our hearts are more beautiful because of your compassion. Jesus loves you and so do we.

"Bring the ring, the seal of sonship, and I will put it on his finger.

And bring out the best shoes you can find for my son.

Let’s prepare a great feast and celebrate.

For this beloved son of mine was once dead,

but now he’s alive again.

Once he was lost, but now he is found!’

And everyone celebrated with overflowing joy."

Luke 15:22-24 The Passion Translation

Marvin is a top notch manager with an eye for inventory detail.

Marvin goes the extra mile to serve abused and neglected kids.

Marvin doesn't do mediocre, all of his dinners are seasoned with greatness.

His volunteers are like him - they serve with happy hearts!

Heart Smiles!

Getting ready to be the jolly old white haired dude named Santa.

He's a manager who's serves by example.

He doesn't drive a big fancy car, Just a van with room to serve.

Marvin serves well with another guy with a servants heart - Pastor Daniel Williamson.

WE FEED THE NEED!

Compassion Volunteers getting ready on Sunday morning.

Marvin made an extra trip to the Food Bank to serve a children's home.

The Extra Mile Team!

Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.

#BrightSpotReport #CompassionMinistries #cftnflag #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW

Church For The Nations Flagstaff
755 N Bonito St Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Phone: 928-714-1170
Email: keely@cftnflag.com

Bob Kuebler is the Author of The Bright Spot Report. He's also written seven books, several magazine articles and blogs including The Bright Spot Report and Mentor Force Nuggets of Wisdom. He is a Bible Teacher and Youth Program Developer who teaches young people about God's plan for His purpose in their lives.
As the Director of Youth With A Purpose who has spent the last 20 yrs. learning about pain and perseverance from inner city young people and their families. Healing starts with the Love of God and grows through compassion and empathy. The greatest way to change a life that's heading toward destruction is through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The YWAP Mission:

"To help young people and their families

affected by violence, drugs, poverty and prejudice

become Christ-centered mentors for the next generation."

Bob can be reached at 716-830-8240 or ywapbuffalo@yahoo.com. www.youthwithapurpose.org

Thursday, December 3, 2020

Pastors Daniel & Allison Williamson - Trusted By God

Unless you've been the Pastor of a church. you probably don't have much of an idea what a Pastor goes through on a daily basis. Many folks expect them to be super-human, without flaws and always available for every need. Those people don't exist, but we know some folks who come close.

Pastors Daniel & Allison Williamson are super-human in many ways. They're both "go-the-extra-mile" kind of folks who lead Church For The Nations Flagstaff. Most of the time they're filling needs without being asked. They have the wisdom and the ability to sense a need and serve people spontaneously with their whole hearts.

It's not uncommon for them to open their home for meetings, counseling or family gatherings. Emergencies happen on an almost daily basis. At least many folks who think they have an emergency call the "Pastor hotline" to pour out their emotional baggage. Then there's the real serious stuff; death, divorce, disease, abuse, folks falling back into addiction, or people going to jail. That's heavy stuff on a Pastor's heart.

These two Pastor's are like trees soaking up the suffering of people around them like roots soaking up rain. It's called empathy and compassion. They care for everybody who comes across their path. They might soak up suffering like rain, but it causes them to drip humility like morning dew.

"Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power;

In holy array, from the womb of the dawn,

Your youth are to You as the dew."

Psalm 110:3

One of the hardest things a Pastor ever goes through is when someone leaves the church. We like to think that everyone we meet will be a lifelong friend. Truth be told, the number of folks who actually leave a church is very small.

Unfortunately any vacated pew causes a sense of loss. There are good reasons to leave a church like when you are lead by the Holy Spirit. Then there's a few lousy reasons to leave a church mostly caused by pride. Folks get offended too easily in this day and age. They might feel slighted by the Pastor who hasn't noticed them lately or gone out of his way to make them feel special. Little do they know the Pastors may have been going without sleep facing one emergency after another.

Church is a place where people go to worship God and seek ways to serve other people. It's a place to learn about God's Word and how to apply it outside the church walls. Many ministries are born in churches like Church For The Nations Flagstaff where the Pastors support the visions of the people they serve. Some folks only come on Sunday's and soak up a good Word. Many others take advantage of church programs to grow into a greater knowledge of understanding what God created them for.

If you feel a need to leave a church, please don't just disappear. Respect the Pastors enough to have a heart to heart talk with them and explain the reasons why. Most of the church leaders I know would welcome the chance to hear about blind spots that may exist in their ministry.

One of the greatest compliments

we can give Pastors Daniel & Allison

is that they are teachable.

They earnestly want to learn how to be greater servants.

What else could anybody ask from a Pastor?

We've watched these two Pastors in public and we've had the honor of witnessing their character in private moments. Daniel & Allison are the real deal. God trusts them to carry the sufferings of the people they serve. That's what Jesus did and it's what He asks of us.

They're almost always serving somebody, but somehow they'll also find a way to serve you. Call the Church if you'd like to meet them or come by on a Sunday morning. There's a free breakfast at 9 am and Service starts at 10 AM. Pastors Daniel & Allison Williamson would love to meet you and serve you - because that's what they do with all of their hearts.