The Son & the Sand
November 2004
In Times of Crisis
Five years ago, I heard someone share the following concept to
illustrate the need for resort, leisure, and / or recreation
ministries: People that do not have a personal relationship with
Jesus Christ are most open to the gospel message (or most vulnerable
to the love of Christ) #1 in times of crisis and #2 in times of
leisure. Since hearing, understanding, and applying this concept to my
approach of ministry opportunities, I have often shared this principle
with churches and mission teams. I have always been one to focus on
the #2 (times of leisure). But since the hurricane I now consider this
#1 concept quite often. As we have partnered with disaster relief
volunteers, church teams, campus ministry teams, and youth groups in
ministering to those in crisis, we have discovered that God is using
this difficult time in our resort area’s history to reach the hearts
of those that do not claim to have a relationship with Christ with His
love. When I share this concept of the openness that non-Christians
have to the gospel, I no longer simply focus on times of leisure, but
now I better understand and communicate the need to reach people in
times of crisis.
E N E R G Y
There’s something about the summer ministries on the gulf coast that
create an excitement and joy in my heart. It’s not the heat of the
summer sun (sometimes it feels like 100 degrees in the shade). It’s
not the busy schedule (sometimes we work hard from sun up till
midnight). It’s not the external environment. I think it’s the
internal work of God in the hearts of faithful volunteers. I’m not
sure what it is exactly, but since that summer excitement has marched
into our fall season, I think the word that best describes this
concept is ENERGY. There’s an energy that ministry volunteers create
on the gulf coast that results in excitement and joy. This type of
energy is contagious and it touches the hearts of many. I’ve often
described this energy in reference to student volunteers and their
evangelistic outreach efforts, but this energy is obviously found in
the hearts of volunteers of all ages. Children, teens, adults, and
senior adults have come to our area in the past month and a half with
a spirit-filled energy that has been a witness for Jesus Christ
throughout Baldwin County.
Clean Up Efforts
The hurricane resulted in a dramatic adjustment to my job description.
My role in the devastated area of Baldwin County, Alabama has become
one of assessing the many needs of hurricane victims. Beyond the
recognition of needs, our staff at the Baldwin Baptist Association and
our many partners in ministry have also worked hard to meet those
needs (cleaning up yards, cutting trees with chainsaws, putting tarps
on rooftops) as well. Gulf Area Resort Ministries has been working
with the Island Church Recovery Team (a team of church leaders
committed to long term recovery in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach) and
additional volunteers in the central Baldwin county area committed to
clean-up efforts.
Snowbird Ministries Have Officially Begun
On Sunday, November 7th, we began meeting regularly for resort worship
services again. The snowbird ministry is quite different this season
due to the closing of many gulf coast condos and the gulf state park
campground. This is typically a time of year when the 450+ campsites
at the state park are filled with our winter visitors; instead, this
year seasons the state park campers are spread throughout the gulf
coast area in many different campgrounds. Some will not be spending
the winter with us at all this year; however, we anticipate another
wonderful season of ministry opportunities. Please pray for us as we
continue to assess and meet needs in the lives of snowbirds.
A Couple of Prayer Requests
Revival – Pray for revival in the hearts of those that are seeing or
have experienced the devastation of the hurricane. We pray that God
will touch someone’s heart with the love of Jesus Christ. In a time of
restoration of the land God can bring restoration of the soul through
the forgiveness, grace, hope, and peace that can only be found through
the Son.
The Hard Working Staff of the Baldwin Baptist Association – Please
pray for everyone at our Association office and Gulf Area Resort
Ministries as we evaluate the needs of our county. Pray that God would
motivate us with the love of Christ and guide us to identify & meet
needs.
One Last Thing
I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your
miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider
all your mighty deeds. Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so
great as our God?
Psalm 77:11-13
Peace in Christ,
Jeff Ford
