Taking Up the Cause of the Fatherless
Earlier today I was daydreaming about tonight. I was looking ahead to this evening when Vienna (our oldest child) and Lincoln (our 2nd oldest) will play for Columbia Little League as All-Stars. Lincoln had his first game on Saturday while Vienna had hers yesterday. Not only did they make the all-star team, but they both started (Vienna at shortstop and Lincoln at pitcher) and they both batted in the clean-up position (fourth). I’m so proud of the way the way they play the sport that was my childhood love!
Then possibly prompted by the Holy Spirit, I was reminded that we have a new ministry starting up at EBC. It’s a ministry to boys who do not have a father in their lives to share with them the things that they know and enjoy. It’s a ministry to boys who do not have fathers to ensure they have opportunities to participate and succeed in childhood activities. It’s a ministry to boys who do not have fathers who daydream about cheering them on in whatever life happenings they’ve got going on.
Because sadly, fathers like me, imperfect yet loving and involved, is not the norm. In fact the norm is becoming quite the opposite. The ministry we are partnering with is Fathers in the Field. They write that “50% of this country’s children—over 25 million kids under 18—are growing up in homes without their fathers. Some 13 million boys are growing up fatherless in America—the majority of them carrying deep, damaging wounds of abandonment that threaten them and society. Given this knowledge, our Heavenly Father will not tolerate inaction. We are called to help the fatherless, and now we can. And, we must.”
I wholeheartedly agree that we the church must do something. Pastor Toby recently quoted Isaiah 1:16 in his sermon and providentially, I quoted the very next verse earlier during my spotlight on Fathers in the Field. Together these verses read, “Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong.” (And here’s how…v.17) “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”
I am part of the team that is taking up the cause of the fatherless at EBC. Even though I have six kids who very much need me, I’m even thinking about becoming a Mentor Father in the program, that’s how much I believe in this. Please be praying for this ministry as it gets off the ground. Please pray about how God might use you in this ministry. The most obvious need is for Mentor Fathers. Brothers, don’t worry about the time factor. It’s mostly inviting a fatherless boy to join you in what you’re already doing. Also, don’t worry about failing. You won’t. The ministry will give you everything you need to succeed. If you want to let me know that you’re interested in how you can be involved or just to tell me that you’re praying, please email me at mdaniells@evergreenbible.com. And if you’d be interested in joining Annette and me as we cheer on our kiddos, we’ll be at Fort Vancouver Little League at 5:15 pm and Annette will be at Columbia Little League at 7:45pm. Hope to see you there.
What a great God we serve!
Pastor Matt
Categories: Evergreen Connection