Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  It is the week after back2school, and I am amazed at all God has done through this outreach.  Plus, it is not over.  More people are receiving items and being blessed and even being served as an overflow of the outreach.  There is more to share than I can possibly deal with today.   What grabs my attention the most is the response to what God has done.  I remember the little one who said “thank you”.  I remember the team member who fell in to a hug with another little one and prayed for them.  I remember the team member who washing feet for the first time and shared their emotional experience.  I remember and am grateful for a lot.   I loved hearing the story that our children’s leader shared and see how students were listening.  And now we keep on praying for a response to the invitation to know God’s love.  And His love has been shown and shared all over.   Romans 12:9-10  NLT   Don’t just pretend to l...

  Mark 10:16  NLT   Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them. That is what Jesus did.  He blessed the children, and that is what back2school is all about.  We have been able to bless the children as we shared with them and showed them the love of God. I am not giving you the details and the numbers from our back2school outreach, but what I want you to hear is how the Lord worked in the lives of children and churches.  It was once again incredible.  God moved and is still moving. Ten locations and hundreds of volunteers gathered the past two weekends to serve students who are heading back to school.  Backpacks and school supplies, shoes and socks, and more were given out.  Students and their families heard the Gospel. I got to watch and listen.  Many of those students grabbed our attention and our hearts.  I love seeing our people serve others. Matthew 25:40  NLT   “And the ...

  Matthew 19:14  NLT   But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” We are getting ready for the kids.  back2school is happening, and it is such a blessing.  Please pray for these students and their families as they hear about Jesus and see examples of His love for them. In the 36 years I have been in ministry I can definitely say that the sweetest and most powerful thing I have been blessed to be part of is #back2school as to which this is the 20th year of this outreach.  Oh my, the memories flood my mind and heart. I think of the smiles on the faces of the kids.  Some walk in with the smiles already painted across their faces.  Some take a little while to warm up.  Often they are so little and cute as they are excited about school and getting things they want.  Others are older and not so enthusiastic about going back to school. But what they hav...

  Mark 6:34  NLT   Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. What do you see?  Or maybe, who do you see?  Perspective really is a big deal.  Sometimes our eyes have something in them or are even sick.  It could be something that is in the way of seeing like your glasses are dirty or there is a lot of fog. Seeing is an important part of life.  Just ask a blind person if it is important.  We take it for granted a lot. Over the next few days I ask you to see the things you see.  I mean really see them or look at them.  Is God pointing something out or sharing something you should learn or maybe even pointing you in a direction of where to go and serve?  That could be the case. As couple days ago I mentioned “God Moments”.  What we see is a big part of those moments.  Just like when Jesus saw t...

  Last night was a good night.  Really good.  Not different than ones we have had in the last 20 years of back2school, but this one was fresh and so sweet. Over 200 volunteers gathered to pack backpacks for the locations serving students this coming weekend.  So, so awesome to be around like minded people who want to make a difference and use our resources for the glory of God and loving on people. Ephesians 6:19  NLT   And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. Each student will not only receive items but will hear the Gospel.  That is why, once again and importantly, I ask that you PRAY and SERVE with all the back2school family. PRAY.  Pray for students and their families who will be served and hear about Jesus. SERVE.  Choose to be at one of the locations where it is happening this Friday, Saturday or Sunday.  Tonight at The ...

  Each month of this year I have challenged our church families to take extra steps in following Christ and impacting others.  This month is no different.  What I challenge them to go goes along with the month of year, and August is the 8th month. What I challenged The Community Fellowship family to do is to seek 8 God Moments.  That is two each week.  God Moments are times that you realize that God shows up and you get in interact with Him. 1 Timothy 2:1  NLT   I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.  That is verse tied to this week, and it simply reminds us that we can pray.  It is an obligation and an opportunity.  Prayer is also a huge blessing.  We can pray for ourselves and for others.  Let people know that you are praying for them I cannot wait to share God Moments with our church and with you in the days ahead.  Start with us by pr...

  Matthew 19:14  NLT   But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”   In a few days we will be part of back2school 2026.  In fact this past Saturday there were two outreaches in South Carolina that served almost 300 students.  It was awesome!   This is the 20th year of back2school and over 46,000 students have been served.   The outreach has grown from one location to as many as 18 with 10 locations and a goal of just over 2,000 students to be served this year.   Please join in praying for the many moving pieces and the people who make this happen … pray for students and their families, pray for volunteers teams and resources, pray for the Gospel presentations and all those who will hear.   And the purpose of this outreach has not changed as we desire to give students hope, encourage them to dream about their futures, to be ready for the new school...

  Pray for back2school 2026.  Why back2school?  Over 20 years ago a missionary to the mountain areas of Appalachia spoke to our church about making a huge difference in the lives of kids living in places of poverty.  One year later The Community Fellowship began.   That first summer, right before a new school year began, we served students helping them prepare for a school.   It was incredible as we served about 75 students.  The next year we served 500 students.  The next year we went to 1,000 students.  It started with just school supplies.  Then we added backpacks and soon after added new shoes and socks.     And the rest is history, as the old saying goes.  Since that humble beginning in 2007 we have served for 20 years and over 46,000 students.  Each student will receive a new backpacks filled with school supplies, new shoes and socks as well as have their feet washed by a volunteer.  Some location...

  One of the greatest times of the year is now.  My wife might not agree because it means her summer break is over, but back2school is one of the best and brightest parts of our ministry. The Community Fellowship began 20 years ago and so did back2school.  Since that time we have had the honor to serve over 46,000 students and their families.  You read that right.  This year we will add a couple thousand more to that number, and I want to remind you that it is not about the number but about sharing Jesus with others. Students will receive a new backpack with school supplies, some receive clothing and a hair cut, and all receive new shoes and shoes as well as have their feet washed.  All the while they see the love of God lived out and hear the story of God’s love and His life through the many who take part in serving. 1 Thessalonians 2:8  NLT   We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.   The...