Transforming Communities Through the Kingdom Cares Center
Summary
Today, I shared about the transformative work of Kingdom Cares and the upcoming Kingdom Cares Center, a project that is very close to my heart. I began by expressing my initial encounter with Kingdom Cares, where I was deeply moved by the sight of families, affected by job losses during the pandemic, lining up for food distribution. This poignant image was a call to action for me, and I decided to contribute my skills and resources to this noble cause.
As a Senior Vice President at Verizon, I am accustomed to solving complex problems and managing operations on a global scale. This professional background has unexpectedly equipped me to serve effectively on the board of Kingdom Cares, alongside Reverend Kendra, Pastor Watley, and the dedicated team at Kingdom Global CDC. Together, we are committed to advancing the mission of Kingdom Cares to serve, support, and strengthen communities in need.
The centerpiece of today's discussion was the Kingdom Cares Center, a significant development that is currently underway. This center, located in the Prince George's, Montgomery, and Howard County region, is a massive, six-floor facility that spans 143 square feet and can accommodate up to 96,800 people. The center is being designed as a regional resource hub that will significantly enhance the quality of life for local children, adults, and families.
Once completed, the Kingdom Cares Center will feature a variety of essential services and facilities. These include a fresh food market, a clothing center, primary care and wellness services, a children's play area, and spaces dedicated to employment, education, and vocational training. Additionally, the center will house an economic empowerment and innovation center, which will serve as a catalyst for community development and personal growth.
I emphasized the collective effort required to bring the vision of the Kingdom Cares Center to fruition. As believers and members of the body of Christ, each of us has unique gifts and resources to contribute. The vision for the center is ambitious and larger than any one individual, but by working together, we can transform this vision into a reality. The scheduled opening in the fall of 2024 is not just a milestone for Kingdom Cares but a beacon of hope for the countless lives that will be positively impacted.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Initial Encounters: The sight of needy families queuing for food was a powerful catalyst for my involvement with Kingdom Cares. Such encounters remind us of the immediate needs around us and the impact we can have by stepping forward to help. This is a call to be vigilant and responsive to the needs within our communities. [01:17]
2. Leveraging Professional Skills for Service: My role at Verizon involves solving complex problems, a skill that has proven invaluable in my service with Kingdom Cares. This teaches us that professional skills, regardless of the industry, can be powerfully repurposed to serve greater causes and meet community needs.
3. Visionary Community Projects: The Kingdom Cares Center is an example of visionary thinking applied to community service. By dreaming big and planning meticulously, we can create facilities that address multiple community needs under one roof, thereby maximizing impact.
4. The Importance of Comprehensive Community Centers: The diverse facilities planned for the Kingdom Cares Center, from health services to economic empowerment zones, highlight the importance of addressing various aspects of community well-being. Such centers become lifelines, offering holistic support to individuals and families.
5. Collaboration in Christ: The project underscores the importance of collaboration among believers. Each of us has something unique to contribute, and when we come together, our collective efforts can create lasting change. This is a practical demonstration of the body of Christ in action, where every member plays a crucial role.
### Youtube Chapters
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:17] - Introduction to Kingdom Cares
- [03:24] - Personal Journey with Kingdom Cares
- [05:40] - Overview of Kingdom Cares Center Facilities
- [08:15] - The Impact of Community Collaboration
- [10:30] - Closing Thoughts and Call to Action
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 25:35-40 (NIV)
> "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'"
2. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (NIV)
> "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the initial encounter that moved the speaker to get involved with Kingdom Cares? [01:17]
2. Describe the professional background of the speaker and how it has been useful in their service with Kingdom Cares. [01:17]
3. What are some of the key facilities and services that will be available at the Kingdom Cares Center? [01:17]
4. How does the speaker describe the collective effort required to bring the vision of the Kingdom Cares Center to fruition? [01:17]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Matthew 25:35-40 relate to the mission and activities of Kingdom Cares? What does this passage suggest about our responsibilities as believers?
2. In what ways can professional skills be repurposed to serve greater causes, as seen in the speaker's experience with Kingdom Cares? [01:17]
3. How does the concept of the body of Christ in 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 apply to the collaborative efforts described in the sermon? [01:17]
4. What does the speaker mean by saying that the vision for the Kingdom Cares Center is "bigger than any one person"? How does this align with the idea of the body of Christ? [01:17]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Matthew 25:35-40, what are some immediate needs in your community that you feel called to address? How can you take a first step this week?
2. Think about your own professional skills and experiences. How might you repurpose them to serve a cause or community need, similar to the speaker's involvement with Kingdom Cares? [01:17]
3. The Kingdom Cares Center aims to provide comprehensive support to the community. What are some specific ways you can contribute to a similar initiative in your area, either through time, resources, or skills?
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of collaboration among believers. Identify a project or cause where you can work together with others in your church or community. What unique contributions can you bring to the table? [01:17]
5. The speaker mentioned the transformative power of initial encounters. Can you recall a moment when you were moved to take action? How did that experience shape your involvement in community service or ministry?
6. The Kingdom Cares Center is set to open in the fall of 2024. What long-term goals can you set for yourself to contribute to community well-being over the next year? How can you stay committed to these goals?
7. How can you encourage others in your church or community to get involved in collaborative efforts, similar to the Kingdom Cares project? What steps can you take to foster a spirit of teamwork and shared vision? [01:17]
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing Catalysts in Our Lives
When we witness the struggles of others, such as families queuing for food, it can stir something profound within us. This stirring is not just an emotional response but a divine nudge towards action. It's a reminder that we are often placed in specific moments and locations to witness certain events—not just to feel moved, but to move and act. This realization can transform a simple daily routine into a purpose-driven life, where every encounter holds the potential to ignite a deeper commitment to service. This is not merely about charity, but about responding to a call to action that aligns with our faith and values. [01:17]
James 2:15-17 ESV: "If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: What recent encounter has moved you deeply, and how are you called to respond to it practically?
Day 2: Utilizing Our Gifts in Service
Our professional skills and experiences are not just career assets; they are gifts that can be used to serve broader purposes. For instance, managing complex problems in a corporate setting can prepare us to handle logistical challenges in community projects. This perspective encourages us to view our daily work as training grounds for greater service. By repurposing our professional skills, we contribute uniquely to initiatives that have a lasting impact on communities, demonstrating that every skill set, when aligned with a mission, can foster significant change. [03:24]
1 Peter 4:10 ESV: "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: How can you repurpose your professional skills or personal talents this week to serve someone in your community?
Day 3: Dreaming Big for Community Impact
Visionary community projects like the Kingdom Cares Center show us the power of dreaming big. Such projects are not just about meeting immediate needs but are designed to create sustainable impacts, addressing multiple community needs under one roof. This approach not only maximizes resources but also fosters a holistic improvement in the quality of life for many. By supporting or initiating such visionary projects, we participate in a larger narrative of transformation and hope, which is central to our faith's call to love and serve generously. [05:40]
Habakkuk 2:2-3 ESV: "And the Lord answered me: 'Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.'"
Reflection: What is one big dream you have for your community, and what is one step you can take this week to move towards that dream?
Day 4: The Importance of Comprehensive Community Support
The diverse facilities planned for the Kingdom Cares Center illustrate the importance of addressing various aspects of community well-being. From health services to economic empowerment zones, these centers are designed to provide holistic support. This model reminds us that our approach to helping others should be comprehensive, considering the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. Such centers not only meet immediate needs but also equip individuals for future self-sufficiency and success. [08:15]
Isaiah 58:10-11 ESV: "If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail."
Reflection: How can you contribute to or support a holistic approach to community care in your area?
Day 5: Collaborating in Faith
The Kingdom Cares project underscores the importance of collaboration among believers. Each person has unique gifts and resources to contribute, and when combined, these efforts can create significant, lasting change. This collaborative spirit is a practical demonstration of the body of Christ in action, where every member plays a crucial role. By working together, we embody the unity and diversity of our faith, making tangible impacts in our communities and beyond. [10:30]
Ephesians 4:16 ESV: "From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."
Reflection: What is one way you can better collaborate with others in your church or community to address a pressing local need?
Quotes
Quotes for Outreach
1. "When I initially found out about Kingdom Cares, I knew that I wanted to be a part of the work that was happening. I'd heard stories about the food distribution with people lined up around the corner to receive food for their families, some of whom have either lost their jobs during the pandemic or just weren't making enough to be able to afford groceries. It was and still is heartbreaking, and I knew that I wanted to support however I could." [01:17]
2. "I currently serve as Senior Vice President at Verizon. Essentially, what I do is I'm responsible for all of the customer operations globally. Basically, I like to say I solve problems for a living. And if you have a problem at Verizon, I'm ultimately responsible for resolving it. I never realized that I'd be able to use my professional experience to serve and advance the mission of Kingdom Global." [01:17]
3. "The center is a stand-alone, 96,800-person, 143-square-foot, six-floor building being refitted to work with various partners in the community. Once completed, the center will have a fresh food market, clothing center, primary care and wellness services, children's play area, employment, educational, and vocational services, and an economic empowerment and innovation center." [01:17]
Quotes for Members
1. "Today, I serve as one of 12 board members that come alongside Reverend Kendra, Pastor Watley, and the Kingdom Global CDC team to help advance the mission of Kingdom Cares to serve, support, and strengthen communities." [01:17]
2. "It's surreal to even be sitting here right now in what will be the Kingdom Cares Center, a regional resource hub dedicated to improving the quality of life for children, adults, and families that live in the Prince George's, Montgomery, and Howard County region." [01:17]
3. "I'm super excited, not just for the opening schedule for fall of 2024, but for the people whose lives will change for the better because of it. As believers, we are the body of Christ, and if I have something to offer, you do as well. The vision for the Kingdom Cares Center is bigger than any one person, but if we work together, each of us contributing what we have to offer, we will make the vision a reality." [01:17]
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