On Sunday, September 18, 2022, the ABQ District held a missional area charge conference for several churches in the NE Heights.  Other than the mandatory submission of forms, the primary focus of the meeting was for each church present to share new and unique ministries and blessings.  Especially considering the stress we are facing as a denomination, the heartfelt expression of these ministries was poignant and so needed.  

A representative from one of the area churches shared a story of how God worked despite, or even because of the pandemic.  Originally, they had planned to offer a Fresh Expression of church in the form of a dinner church.  COVID hit and the church became an unsafe space.  Instead, they created a drive through food box pick up, which was marginally successful.  More recently, they created more than 50 food boxes but this time, they invited participants to come into the church and have a cup of coffee and a donut with them.  He reported that three people who recently had strokes found each other and connected.  About a dozen people who came to receive food boxes, helped to distribute and connect with people and participated in praying for each other.  

What a wonderful story of persistence, listening to the movement of the Holy Spirit and responding to that need, and of course, God’s faithfulness.  There were many other stories of ministry going on in our Conference – supporting Korean missionaries in Africa and Mumbai, providing breakfast to high school football players, taking church to a Weird Al Yankovic concert, supporting the Asbury Pie Cafe, and so much more. DS, Craig Cockrell reminded attendees that we are all doing this ministry together in the name of Christ.

There are a number of these ABQ District missional charge conferences ongoing this month and into October.  The other Districts are also celebrating ministries of the church in individual church charge conferences throughout the fall.  The charge conference directs the work of the church and gives general oversight to the church council, reviews and evaluates the mission and ministry of the church, among other things.

We hope to hear more from you – where your heart and passion is in ministry and mission for our community and our world that needs it badly. Submit stories here.