The local church is the hope of the world

Two years ago I attended the Global Leadership Summit simulcast at La Croix Church in Cape Girardeau. The faculty for the two-day summit was impressive. From leadership author and speaker Patrick Lencioni to pastor Craig Groeschel of LifeChurch.tv, among others, this was a phenomenal opportunity for spiritual rejuvenation and to learn from respected leaders.

Bill Hybels, pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in suburban Chicago where the conference was held, delivered a powerful message. His leadership talk was well delivered. His interview with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was engaging.

Over the course of the two days, there was one line from Hybels that particularly caught my ear:

The local church is the hope of the world.

Wow!

As Scripture tells us, we, the local church, are the body of Christ. We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus and share the good news of the Gospel.

Hybels was in Cape Girardeau last month for La Croix's 25th anniversary celebration. I hope you were one of the more than 2,500 in attendance. The service was at the Show Me Center and combined three services. The evening included dynamic worship music led by Chris Nall and Brad Miles and inspirational testimony.

As Hybels took the stage, he brought up several people from the audience. The message seamlessly flowed as he described, with the church members serving as illustrations, what the local church is supposed to look like. (See the above photo.) This included: reaching out to those disinterested in the faith, helping Christ followers grow spiritually, providing a community environment, serving others and giving back.

The message was captivating.

One of the stories Hybels shared, which is included in his book "Courageous Leadership," is about a couple who brought their baby to him after church asking for prayer.

As he took the baby in his arms and her face came into view, he realized why the couple was asking for prayer. The little girl's face was deformed. The doctors did not give her long to live, and the parents wanted their precious child to know how much she was loved before passing into Glory.

Hybels prayed with the couple and asked whether the church could help. The girl's father said the couple's small group from church was helping every step of the way. They came to their home after learning the news. They provided comfort. They cooked meals and cleaned their house. They called and prayed. They even helped plan the girl's funeral.

In the book, Hybels provides this reaction and his view on the local church:

"There is nothing like the local church when it's working right. Its beauty is indescribable. Its power is breathtaking. Its potential is unlimited. It comforts the grieving and heals the broken in the context of community. It builds bridges to seekers and offers truth to the confused. It provides resources for those in need and opens its arms to the forgotten, the downtrodden, the disillusioned. It breaks the chains of addictions, frees the oppressed, and offers belonging to the marginalized of the world. Whatever the capacity for human suffering, the church has a greater capacity for healing and wholeness."

Yes, this is what the local church is supposed to look like. We're to share the message of the Gospel, a message full of truth and grace. A message of love and forgiveness through God's son Jesus. And as followers of Christ, we're called to help others.

There are many examples of this in our communities. Churches in the past week held fall festivals and other similar events.

MissionFest will be today at the Osage Centre in Cape Girardeau. Fifty or more exhibitors will share with attendees how to get involved in various ministries.

From noon to 2 p.m. today you can participate in the Salvation Army's eighth annual Empty Bowls banquet at the church, 701 Good Hope St. Admission is $12, and proceeds benefit the ministry's meals with friends program. The Salvation Army said in a recent news release that meals with friends provides 800 to 1,000 meals every month. You also can purchase the handmade bowls at the Arts Council through Dec. 6.

The Salvation Army is preparing for its Thanksgiving and Christmas outreaches. Donations of food items and money are requested. You can learn more by calling 335-7000.

Many other organizations and churches also do outreaches, and I'm grateful so many have a passion to help make a difference.

Whether it's helping people with clean drinking water in Africa or getting involved in your community, the local church is the hope of the world. Even more so, we know there is a Savior, Jesus Christ, who we can place our hope in. He is the reason for our hope.

Lucas Presson is the editorial-page editor and assistant managing editor for the Southeast Missourian. His email is lpresson@semissourian.com.