I was at my son’s baseball game at Blackman High School and one of the parents of the team was talking about his house being flooded, A week later, it still had water in it and they were still unable to get in it. My in-laws home had also been flooded and they were at the game and they gave them helpful information re: FEMA and other organizations that could assist them with the clean up.
Then later that week I talked to him again and after two weeks they were able to start working on the clean up. I had asked the mom’s son (who is on the baseball team and has been a part of LifePoint Student Ministry) if they had anyone helping them. He said his mom, step-dad, himself and another couple who were friends helping them. That night I called my neighbor Dan, who is part of our Small Group, to see if he could go with me to help the next morning. He said yes. Another guy in our small group, Jamie, said he could go for a while until he needed to go to another flood clean-up at his daughters softball field. He called back that morning and said his wife said they needed his brawn at the softball field. To be honest my first thought was, “What’s more important, a home or a softball field?” I realized though that it’s both. It’s all ministry: whether at church, home, work, or sports field. It is about Invest-2-Invite. Jamie was where he needed to be and where his wife and daughter needed him to be. Shame on me for my first thought.
I called another of our small group men ,Alex. Then I remembered that he works on Saturdays, but his wife said his oldest son, Chase, would go with us. God provides. I had called to see if my brother, John would want to go but he couldn’t. He called back later and said his oldest son, Hank, wanted to go. God provides.
So, Saturday morning we had four of us and a daddy from the baseball team that had overheard us talking at the game. God provides. We worked a few hours before we had to leave and go to our seniors’ graduation festivities. We were able to bring food from our graduation party. God provides.
When I took the homeowners the food, they were hungry and ready to eat. I asked them what they were planning on doing the next day. He told me they were going to take out the sub flooring, which looked like ski moguls with no snow. I figured I would call after church to see if they might need some more help. I probably should have went and helped during church because all I did was sleep. All Pat talks about is love and sin; I’m kidding. He talks about sports, too.
After church, I called and asked how they were doing and if they had help. He said that they had about five people pulling insulation and floor up. But he said that one guy, who is a big fella, fell through the floor. His wife, who was helping, took him to the ER. He ended up with some hurt ribs. That left them with 2 less helpers. But God provides.
I called our small group men. Dan said he could help again. Jamie’s brawn wasn’t needed elsewhere, so he was available and ready to help also. Alex was ready and willing. My brother was also able to go, although his is not in our small group. These guys didn’t hesitate. They just went. God provides .
We gotter done. Sometimes (no, really all the time) I don’t like to call and ask people to do something that ain’t going to be fun but actually just messy. But I’m thankful for a group of men that put the needs of someone else above their own. God will provide. Sometimes we need to ask of others and also step up and act. Thanks again, Mr. Small Group Men Flood Help Clean-up Guys; Real American Heroes.

C. Mitchell

Kris Dolberry and Brad Bynum of LifePoint Church, Stewarts Creek Campus just completed leading our annual “impact your neighborhood” training, “Servology.” It was a time for all small groups leaders and members to discuss and learn how to impact their neighborhoods.

Here is a story from a lady who attended Servology put it into practice moments later.

“Great night!! I prayed most of the way home for an encounter with a neighbor. So, I decided to water my plants around my mailbox. Guess what, two neighbors that I don’t know came walking down the street (amazing how God works). Anyway, I made eye contact with them. Although they were on their cell phones, I said ‘hello’ and they responded. I asked how they were doing and they responded again and then they keep walking.
I have decided that I need to water my plants every night and pray that they leave their cell phones at home next time! Also note to self…put on mosquito repellant next time.”

Author Eugene Peterson says, “Christian hospitality is the new word for Evangelism.” What are you planning to do this summer to be the presence of Jesus in your neighborhood, on your street, tennis court, ball field or place of community?
When was the last time you prayed for your neighbors by name?

Take time this week to notice your neighbors. Drive slower than usual and watch for opportunities to interact with them. Maybe walk your dog, work in your flower beds, wash your car or sit a little longer on the bleachers; all in order to give God time to work through you to show his love, be the his presence.

Flood Relief Workday — Saturday, May 8

Meet at LifePoint, FBCSmyrna Campus at 7:30am (enter by the Office/Preschool Entrance)

To Volunteer for the Workday, please register here through the Town of Smyrna database. We will doing general clean-up work at homes in the Smyrna community impacted by the flood.

Work day details:
Required Dress: Work Gloves, Work Boots, Hat, Jeans/Long Pants, Long Sleeve Shirt (to wear over a short-sleeve shirt depending on work)
No shorts or opened toed shoes
Water Bottle
Updated Tetanus shots are recommended. If you are not sure or if more than 10 years, contact your doctor or health department. Participation in the Work-Day is not recommended for those with a respiratory condition or difficulties.

Flood Relief Needed
If you are in need of Flood Assistance, these resources may be of help:

First Step: If you have flood related damage, please report it by calling Rutherford County EMA at 890-5519 or 890-2957. You can read more at the Town of Smyrna Flood Relief Website.
You can also email our relief coordinators to request assistance.
Flood Cleanup Guide

How to Help
You can make a monetary donation below to the relief efforts.
Email for other ways you can help beyond Saturday’s Workday.
Volunteer opportunities are available in the Nashville areas through Samartian’s Purse

To Donate to the Relief Effort, Click Here

Belmont Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt

By Chris Berkey

This year we decided to hold our neighborhood’s second annual Easter Egg Hunt at the neighborhood playground thinking it would be a better draw than our yard.  We have also had a few more families that attend LifePoint move into the neighborhood so we recruited them to help.  One of the families is in our small group.  So we all donated the eggs (over 200) and candies.  We stuffed and invited.  The morning of the event, our neighbor’s girls helped hide the eggs.  Their mom also donated the prizes we gave out (we had 3 special prize eggs).  The families that did attend came from all ends of the neighborhood, which was cool.  The family that came last year came again this year and brought the family that lives next door to them as well.  We discovered that another neighbor has become a foster parent, so she came and brought her 2 boys with her.  Apparently everyone was having a good time; they all hung around to play and chat after all the eggs were found.  There were mothers talking about coupons and who had the best grocery prices, and dads talking about the state of the economy and how some houses in the neighborhood had actually sold.  We asked that everyone empty the goodies out of the eggs so we could keep the eggs to use again next year.  Although the hunt started at 9am, it was after 11 before everyone left.

Three LifePoint families and neighbors came together to host this event. This year’s Belmont Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt a success!

Bel

On Sunday, February 28th (Smyrna Campus) and March 7th (Stewarts Creek Campus), GroupLife hosted a Small Group Luncheon for all Small Group Leaders and their group members.

For leaders and members who were not able to attend, here are some of the highlights of the luncheons:

*Free giveaways

*Childcare: adopt a newly trained babysitter and pay their way to youth camp this summer.  Let them come to your food/meal at group meeting, service. socials, and celebrate their birthday. They have been trained by UT Extension and are ready to serve your Small Group. Call Charity Smith (459-3311) for more info.

*The next 6 months of info on the Discipleship, Community, Service Cards

*Stories were shared by SG Leaders and discussion on the new series “Exposed, Life On the Inside”.

*One group is mixed with couples and singles.  Learning how to share life issues has been challenging.

*Another group fasting one day a week for a friend who was in accident. Another group started four new Small Groups from their group for the Exposed series.

*GroupLife has a new name for the attendance report that is completed each week by Small Group Leaders…the new name is “Community Report”.

*PLEASE share what is happening in your group via this report.

*Tell us about your socials, parties, service projects, prayer needs and info on what you are  studying.

*Please be sure to visit the Service tab on groupleader.org often for new service opportunities for your Small Group…new opportunities are posted monthly

*Small Group is much more than attendance, it is doing life together.  Let us pray, celebrate and journey with you and your group via the “Community Report”
Next Luncheon will be in August after school starts back.  See you then.

Eddie Mosley
Executive Director of GroupLife