T.I.M.S. Goals Part 2 – Develop Relationships with Client Families to Open Their Hearts to the Gospel

“They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.” – Acts 14:21-22a

Our second goal at T.I.M.S (Teens in Missionary Service) is to equip the students and their leaders to share their faith with client families during the week. And in some cases we may return to families we’ve served in the past to follow up and encourage them as they grow deep.

Several months ago I started to think about the TIMS program and wanted to come up with a simple and short statement that clearly communicates what we’re all about. The following is the final outcome: “The physical work at TIMS is secondary to the primary work of the gospel.”

Our desire is not to build houses, decks, paint or do yard work. Those are just the vehicles used to start building relationships with our client families. To be honest, anyone desiring to do something good can build houses. But it takes people with a heart to see others come to Christ to focus more on the work of spreading the gospel.

I remember my first summer being exposed to the TIMS program as I was invited to be the speaker. This was three years before taking on the full-time position as the TIMS Director. On my second day there I ventured out to the job sites so I could get a glimpse of what the students were doing. At one particular site I noticed a couple girls sitting on the porch chatting away with the one of the family members. When I got closer I over heard their conversation and them sharing their testimonies. These girls took the time to lay down their paint brushes and share their faith. Why? Because the painting did not matter as much as the family member needing to hear the gospel.

The TIMS Program at CRC is about building relationships with the families we serve. It’s about preaching the good news in our community, praying for the Kingdom to expand, strengthening and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.