Missions
The purpose of the Missions Ministry is to provide outlets for His church members to serve communities here and around the world. We recognize that mission work is not solely international, nor is it solely local, but instead it is both. If the heart of Harris Creek is to be aligned with God's heart, we are to care for those in our own community, as well as those around the world.
We seek to provide local and international components as parts of our mission strategy. The mission focus of Harris Creek takes place through corporate events, as well as providing opportunities for members to get involved as Life Groups, families, and as individuals. The desire is for this mission focus to ultimately overflow into all aspects of life, including more personal environments such as the workplace and school.
For ways to get involved, email missions@harriscreek.org.
Adoption Awareness
God uses the imagery of family and adoption throughout the Bible to describe our relationship with him. He adopts us into His kingdom and gives us a NEW RELATIONSHIP with Him. He rescues us and transforms us from our old life into a NEW LIFE. He then surrounds us with His LOVE and CARE for a lifetime. What better way to show the love of Christ than through the act of adoption or by giving your support of adoptions? We are going to use this week to highlight personal stories of Harris Creek members that have been affected, changed, and shaped by adoptions. You can check out the links to their videos and written stories below.
Steven's Story
Pam's Story
Click here to check out Pam's Story posted on our blog.
Rebecca's Story
Laura's Story
The Pittman's Story
The King's Story
Jade's Story
Click here to check out Jade's Story posted on our blog.
Keep checking back this week for more videos and written stories from our congregation!
If you missed the Dennehy family adoption video from Sunday, April 21, or want to watch the video in its entirety, visit ilikegiving.com/story/i-like-adoption.
Check out our postings on ways to serve and be involved with adoptions at Harris Creek to seek the welfare of the city.
- Pray on Blue Sunday for our children. This is a national day of prayer that recognizes those children who have experienced abuse or neglect, and is usually the last Sunday of April. For more information visit www.bluesunday.org.
- Participate in a Relief Care Provider training at Harris Creek through Arrow Child and Family Ministries. By becoming a certified Relief Care Provider, you offer foster parents to take a much needed break by caring for their children for short periods of time. Becoming a relief care provider will give you the opportunity to minister directly to children, as well as serve these foster parents by giving them some time off. You can get creative with serving in this capacity by offering to babysit for a family yourself, or by hosting a parents’ night out with your life group. You can email Christin Peel cpeel@harriscreek.org to express your interest in this service opportunity.
- Become a CASA Worker (Court Appointed Special Advocate). CASA volunteers serve as a voice for abused and neglected children in court. For more information on how to become a volunteer check out their website www.becomeacasa.org.
- Sponsor a child through Compassion International. Join us next spring as we celebrate Compassion Sunday in April. Here at Harris Creek, we alternate each between hosting a Compassion International Sunday and Adoption Awareness Sunday during the Spring. Check out the website to start sponsoring a child now, www.compassioninternational.org.
- Start serving with your local Child Protective Service agency. Our local CPS has many ways to serve. Donate new baby and children’s item for the CPS Rainbow Room, which serves to provide the necessities for children as they move into foster or adoptive homes. Or, take part in the Adopt-a-Case Worker Program and provide support for CPS worker. If you are handy with a camera, you can volunteer to take pictures for the Heart Gallery. To learn more about volunteering and what the Heart Gallery does, look here www.heartgallerytexas.com/index.htm.
Short-Term Missions Scholarships
Although Harris Creek does not offer any organized, short-term mission trips, we still desires to support individuals in going on short-term mission trips with other organizations that have a long-term presence. If you are going on a short-term mission trip and are interested in receiving financial assistance, please read over the Scholarship Fund Policies to see if you would be eligible, and then send a completed application to missions@harriscreek.org.
Living Water International is an example of an organization with a long-term presence. Visit their website to find out more about this organization, as well as upcoming trips that are being offered through Living Water International.
Current Needs
Drivers Needed
Friends for Life, a local non-profit that seeks to provide the quality of life for seniors and people with disabilities who don't have family to care for them, arae in desperate need of drivers. Because of the recent lack of drivers, many Friends for Life clients have had to cancel their doctor appointments because they didn't have transportation. If you are able to serve in this capacity, contact Della Ryberg or 772-8100 ext. 110.
Meals for Christian Men's Job Corp
CMJC provides a faith-centered educational program and life-changing Gospel community to chronically underemployed and unemployed men in the city of Waco. At no cost, this holistic program offers work-skills courses coupled with Bible study, computer labs, and mentors who offer a relationship designed to build a man's confidence, business connections, and other skills that contribute to his success. On Tuesday and Thursday evenings, CMJC is in need of dinner to be provided for the 12 men who are currently in the program. If you are interested in providing dinner for one of these nights, please sign up using their Care Calendar. Calendar ID: 121935 Security Code: 7967
