“I remember what it was like to be homeless.”

Since 2020, Fargo-Moorhead and the surrounding areas have consistently had about 950 people experiencing homelessness on any given night, according to the Fargo-Moorhead Coalition to End Homelessness.

That’s how our conversation started. One of our new members, we’ll call her Danielle, had just approached me with a mostly full, blue-grey jug of laundry detergent.

She said, “I remember what it was like to be homeless.”

I met Danielle for the first time after one of our services. She had recently moved to the area, and it was the first time she had attended Good Shepherd. She was blown away by the friendliness of the church members, the passion of the worship service, and—most importantly—the unwavering focus on living God’s mission in the world. She attended our very next New Member class and joined the church family.

A few weeks later, we had our Noisy Offering. This is when our kids learn about stewardship by collecting money for different causes in the community. On that month, they were collecting money to buy much needed supplies at our local homeless shelter, Churches United.

It was the next week that Danielle approached me with the blue-grey jug of laundry detergent.

“I remember what it was like to be homeless,” she said. “It was a really difficult time for me and the things that people gave during that time…. Well, they were a miracle. Now that I am in a different place, I like to remember and give back.”

After I thanked her for sharing, she continued. “Giving has become important for me. Now that I am [no longer homeless], I notice that giving has a way of changing my heart in unbelievable ways. So now, whether I have a lot or a little, I always choose to give because there are people who need the miracle, and—let’s face it—I need one too.”

Danielle knows what it means to “Subscribe to the Mission.”

““Giving has a way of changing my heart in unbelievable ways. So now, whether I have a lot or a little, I always choose to give because there are people who need the miracle, and—let’s face it— I need one too.””

How often do we “Click Subscribe”?

How many things do you subscribe to? Netflix? Hulu? Amazon? Youtube Red? Cable TV? The local paper? Your favorite magazine? Are you on Patreon with your favorite Youtuber?

We subscribe to the things that are important to us, and we would be sad if they went away.

Danielle has felt what it is like when people “subscribe to Jesus’ mission.” In Luke 4, Jesus tells us exactly what his mission would be—and still is—on earth! He stood before his hometown and read these words from the prophet Isaiah:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” (Luke 4:18-19, see also Isaiah 61:1-2).

After Jesus finished reading he continued on to say, “Today, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21).

In effect, this is Jesus’ mission statement. This is the very first thing he says at the start of his ministry in Luke. Jesus is declaring from the beginning what will be most important to him: love, justice, comfort, good news, freedom, and healing.

If I were to give an simple summary of Jesus’ mission it would be this: love God, and love others. It’s that simple: love God and love others.

An summary of Jesus’ mission: love God and love others.

That’s what we get to do as Christians and as a church.

Jesus made it his ministry to love God and love others, but now we get to carry on the banner. When we do this, we “subscribe to the mission.”

Because the Spirit of the Lord isn’t just upon Jesus. The spirit of the Lord is upon YOU too.

That’s why we hold so tightly to our mission at Good Shepherd: we want to gather, grow, and go, so that ALL may know the Good Shepherd. And God’s work isn’t done yet! So we are going to keep on gathering, growing, and going until it is.

So what about you?

What does it look like for you to love God and love others?

For Danielle, it looks like remembering a time when she was in need, and continuing to give so that others can find hope in their darkest moments.

For me as a pastor, it looks like listening for the needs in our community and finding creative ways that our church can meet those needs.

For you, it might look any number of ways. It might mean helping a friend in need or being in a philanthropic group. It might mean giving financially to a place like Churches United or buying supplies for them when you are at the store.

However it looks, Friedrich Buechner once said it best: “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” ~Friedrich Buechner

Join us and Subscribe to the Mission!

I want to extend you an invitation to “subscribe to the mission” of Jesus at Good Shepherd. There are still people in the world who are hurting and need to hear God’s message of hope and redemption. Who knows, perhaps you are one of them or know someone who is??

That’s why we need everyone to “subscribe to the mission!”

Charitable giving trends show that older generations are more comfortable giving to institutions, while younger generations tend to give directly to individuals as needs arise. What is beautiful about being part of a church like Good Shepherd, is that you get to do both!

When you give to a church, you are part of a community of givers who have a direct impact on individuals. Individuals like Danielle.

And why you give, to a church or anywhere, you are changed and so is God’s world. How would the world be different if everyone “subscribed to God’s mission?”

The mission of Jesus is to love God and love others. Blessings to you as you join God and subscribe to God’s mission in whatever way you can.

Pr. Meggie

What is "subscribe to the mission"?