Dear Friends,

“For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘LORD, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” (Matthew 25:42-45 NIV)

What does a Christian look like? If I were to place 10 random people in police lineup and ask, “Which is a follower of Jesus Christ?” What criteria would you use to choose the believer? Some may pick the gentleman wearing the three-piece suit and perfectly combed hair, while others may pick the elderly woman who resembles a Sunday School teacher. Though either or both of these individuals may or may not have a relationship with the Lord, there is no way to know this by their appearance. You need to interact with the individual, you need to experience who they truly are. The only “clear cut” litmus test for pointing out a Christian is this: Do they love?  I can preach to thousands and thousands, but if I do not love, my words are meaningless. They will know we are Christians by our love.

At the Lodestar Mountain Inn, we are going to love those who have been beaten and scared by a, sometimes, cruel world. Jesus has called us, not to see only broken and shattered people, but rather beautiful creations who were created for a purpose and are loved by a good, good Father. It is our prayer to give drink to the thirsty, food to the hungry, clothe the naked, and be there for the imprisoned.  Also, for those who are in need of healing, as their scars are deep, we want them to know and believe that the cross has made them flawless.

You can help us love like Jesus to “the least of these!”

I urge you to prayerfully consider partnering with us during the Great Community Give this Wednesday, April 17, 2019, from 6:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. It’s a day devoted to online charitable giving, sponsored by The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County (VA), as their way of supporting the area nonprofit organizations that are making an impact. This fundraising effort will bring us even closer to becoming fully operational. To learn more, visit our Great Community Give web page by clicking here.

With LOVE,

Steve