As hundreds of churches across our state gear up to “ServeNC” from Aug. 3-10, it’s important for us to pause and reflect on the reasons we partner together for an initiative such as this.

The world around us is hurting. People need relief and hope found in the gospel now more than ever. According to a recent study conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation — a nonprofit organization focused on health policy and research — nearly one out of every four adults living in North Carolina has reported anxiety and depressive disorder symptoms.

Many areas across our state are still experiencing economic hardship because of COVID-19. Some regions are still recovering from natural disasters that happened years ago. So many of the stories our neighbors see in their homes, in their communities and on the news are bleak and offer no hope. 

But that’s not all. Across our state, millions of people have yet to experience the love of Jesus Christ. They do not know about the salvation that’s been made available to them through Him. 

“ServeNC” is an opportunity for us to tell a better story to a lost and dying world. It’s a moment for us to be the hands and feet of Jesus, to fulfill our calling to be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.”

“ServeNC” is our chance to change the narrative as we offer hope to those who feel hopeless. Our goal here isn’t to tell a story that simply makes us look good in front of others — our aim is God’s glory, not our own. As Jesus commands, “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). We want our communities to walk away from “ServeNC” worshiping and praising God for His great work. 

That’s why Jesus needs to be shown in our words and our actions as we go out to “ServeNC.” We need to be ready to share the good news with everyone we encounter. Telling a better story to our communities means that we speak truthfully about the hope of the gospel, even as we live that gospel out by meeting tangible needs. 

Can you imagine the kind of story our communities will get to witness when we go out on the streets and serve? I’m excited to see how our churches share and show the love of Jesus this August. With so many around us hurting and hopeless, we need to be a light in the darkness and give our neighbors a narrative of hope. Let’s tell a better story to the world and give God the glory for all of it. 

What will your church be doing to “ServeNC” in August? What kind of story will you end up telling your neighborhood? Share your story with us on social media by using the hashtag #ServeNC. We want to celebrate how God is using your church to be the light of the world to the lost. Thanks for being on mission together with us and all our churches across North Carolina.

(EDITOR’S NOTE — This article originally appeared in the July/August 2024 issue of the Biblical Recorder.)