I’ve been writing from time to time about the amazing young Christian couple that lives next door to us. They’re deeply involved in their church, participate in a home group that they sometimes host, and practice genuine Christian community.
Andrew, who is a civil engineer but is changing careers and wants to become a fireman, has set up a gym in his garage so he can get in fireman-ready shape. Every afternoon at 4 pm, Andrew comes home, changes into gym shorts, opens his garage door and begins working out with humongous weights. Every now and then I go over and work out with him, so I’ve had an opportunity to get to know him.
Recently, a team caller on one of our Faithful Hands teams – Faithful Hands is the name of my church’s men’s team ministry – called me and said they needed some help. They were preparing to pour cement for a pathway in their care receiver’s backyard and they needed two more guys to help haul cement in wheelbarrows from the cement truck to the backyard. I told him I could help and that I would find someone else as well.
After the conversation, the thought came to me that this would be the perfect way to introduce my neighbor to men’s team ministry. His workouts had turned him into a beefcake. He was certainly capable of hauling cement in a wheelbarrow. So I pitched the request to Andrew during one of our garage workouts and he said that he would be glad to help.
The next Saturday morning, I loaded up the SUV with a wheelbarrow and shovels and took Andrew out to breakfast, where I explained what men’s team ministry was all about. Then we headed over to help out the team and their care receiver. She is a young widow whose husband passed away suddenly fifteen years ago, leaving her with two children to raise.
The cement truck was a little late arriving, so as we stood around waiting, the widow/single mom and her team began reminiscing about their men’s team ministry to her. Turns out she had a team for fourteen years! We could see the glow on her face as she talked about what it meant to her.
Soon the cement truck arrived and we got to work hauling, pouring and spreading cement. I must say, the walkway turned out great and we got the cement part done in a little over two hours.
As I arrived back on our block with Andrew, the last thing he said as he got out of the SUV was, “Let me know when one of your teams needs an additional man. I’ll be glad to help anytime.”
Score!
So men, here’s the moral of the story: Think about inviting your male friends with you when you serve your widow or single mom. It’s an excellent way to introduce them to an amazing expression of the love of Christ.
This post first appeared in NewCommandment.org.
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Learn how to form teams of men for every widow, single mom
and fatherless child in your church at NewCommandment.org.
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