When we talk about “Calling” – we point to a “Caller”

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD  is upon me, because THE LORD has anointed me to bring GOOD news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor… that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.”  Isaiah 61:1-4

Kim Alford is on the Core Team

and serves as Asst. Director of the Saturday Clubs

 The Call became tangible to me when I was ten years old

My dad took me to feed the homeless at a shelter in my home town – we made spaghetti and meatballs and poured sauce into empty bowls. I’ll never forget the rows of mattresses that lined the walls in the back room. Women and children sitting on them looking lonely and stuck. I went home and cried in my pillows. I thanked God for my warm bed and big room, for life and hope, and for some small part in helping others.

God’s call continued when I got to go

to South Africa with Teen Mania

Honestly the best lesson I learned there was that I could do this ministry right from my home in Myrtle Beach. I didn’t have to move across the planet to love kids. There were some hungry and thirsty for love and God’s provision right where I lived! So then my season at #teachmypeople happened. And these kids – they too blessed me more than I could manage to bless them!

Clubs In The City has been another great place for me to

walk this out the last few years

I’m a full time PreK teacher and don’t always feel like I have much left to give at the end of the day. But because our Clubs meetings are every other Saturday, I’ve been able to stay involved.

The Call  is to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

We feed and clothe ourselves. We drive ourselves places. We entertain ourselves. We spend time on ourselves – on our work and talents. We spend money on ourselves – things we need, things we want… It’s good and right to take care of ourselves. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t be of any use to anyone else anyway… But what we fail to do is to see our neighbor as ourself. It’s too weird and too easy to focus on ourselves. It takes intention and deliberation to think –

If I were the one knocking and knocking, I’d hope someone would let me in.

If I were the one with no groceries and no money left, I’d wish someone would share their food with me.

If I were stuck, lost, feeling stranded or abandoned or scared of what lies ahead, I’d want someone to encourage me and spend time with me and walk with me…

That’s the call that compels me.. Love your neighbor as you love yourself – and when you don’t have that much time or money or anything else to give, give what you do have.

The Call  is not about me or you – it’s about a God who loves and redeems and restores.

It’s about showing up – whether you have a lot to give or just a little.

It’s about believing He’s with us and He delights to work in and through us for the benefit of others.

If I’ve learned anything about The Call – I’ve learned the Caller is Good and can be trusted. In seeking to bless others, I’ve never been empty handed. And it always seems as though I get back more than I can ever give. – Kim Alford