by FELICIA BOWENS
Commit your work to the Lord, together!
Since joining the staff at Mission Mississippi, I have been privileged to experience firsthand the work of this great organization in its efforts to encourage and demonstrate grace in the body of Christ across racial lines — from attending the weekly prayer breakfast gatherings across the Jackson metro, to participating in Generation Next meetings, to engaging with fellow Christians at the Living Reconciled Celebration, to joining Christians in prayer for our state legislators at the Legislative Prayer Breakfast. If we have learned one thing, it is that only TOGETHER are we able to connect and cultivate relationships despite racial boundaries to advance the kingdom of God.
In thinking about togetherness, consider for a moment the acronym TEAM — Together Everyone Achieves More. In this acronym, the word “together” is fundamental to a TEAM being able to achieve anything. The same is true for the body of Christ: When we come together and work together as God’s children, we can more effectively accomplish the work of the Father.
Togetherness is defined as “the pleasant feeling of being united with other people in friendship and understanding.” And so, when we as Christians can come together across racial lines to cultivate intentional, loving relationships that are built on trust, respect and truth, we not only strengthen but unify the body of Christ as a whole. “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Romans 12:4)
It is with TOGETHERNESS in mind that Mission Mississippi has launched an exciting yearlong social media campaign, “Together,” to amplify the message of living reconciled (2 Corinthians 5:12-21) and to unite the church.
Over the next 12 months, Mission Mississippi will unveil a new theme and scripture for each month. These themes and scriptures are intended to promote togetherness and foster meaningful dialogue in the body. The campaign will be loaded with facts, reminders, encouragement and opportunities for YOU to join the conversation through various social media channels. You can be a part of the dialogue by visiting Mission Mississippi’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram platforms.
For the month of April, the theme is Work Together, and the key verse is Proverbs 16:3 — “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” During the month of April, Mission Mississippi wants to motivate you to join other Christians across racial lines to work together in brotherly and sisterly love. When we pray together, love together, listen together and work together, God is in the midst. Jesus states in Matthew 18:30 that “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
In the insightful words of Henry Ford, “Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success.” Let us work together as brothers and sisters in Christ to fulfill the Great Commission.
Felicia Bowens is executive assistant to the president of Mission Mississippi. She lives in Byram with her son, attends Kingdom Empowerment Center, and is a member of the Metropolitan Women’s Ministry.
