Deployment— of another kind

On September 6, 2006, 175 Nebraska Army National Guard soldiers were in attendance for a farewell ceremony at the Lancaster Event Center. Lincoln Berean had a deployment—of another kind.

These soldiers were being deployed to Iraq for a yearlong mission.  The 175 soldiers stood in formation throughout the ceremony, professionally and passionately showcasing an atmosphere of sacrifice, loyalty, bravery and duty. 

They knew what they were representing, why they were going and who they were serving.  Each one was focused on the mission, a mission that could cost them their lives.  They all left their families with anticipation of the work they felt called, privileged and honored to do. 

Lincoln Berean had a deployment—of another kind.  It was a deployment motivated by our love and willingness to serve the God of the Universe - in Lincoln.  During the two weeks of the Ministry Fair in August, we received an army of approximately 300 soldiers who signed up to serve.  These are people who joined the ranks of many already serving who together, professionally and passionately, model sacrifice, loyalty, bravery and duty within our church and community. 

However, with this deployment, the sacrifice is primarily time; loyalty is motivated by God’s infinite love and faithfulness to us and a love for one another; the bravery issue is hardly life-threatening, perhaps simply stepping out of our comfort zone; and, duty comes from God’s call for everyone to serve, which is motivated by a love relationship with Jesus.

To serve in this capacity required the death of only One—Jesus.  He died so we could experience the freedom of forgiveness and receive eternal life, which frees and motivates us to serve.  Service at LBC is not a yearlong mission; God’s plan is for a lifetime.  And someday when this battle is over, we as good soldiers of Christ Jesus (II Tim. 2:3) will stand before God, our Commander and Chief and hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of the Lord” (Matt. 25:21).

We want to express our gratefulness and appreciation for each one that signed up to serve.  Your response was encouraging to the ministry area leaders and to the church body.  If you are not currently serving and would like to know more about your options for service, please stop by the Service Network booth, e-mail connections@lincolnberean.org or visit our Web site at www.lincolnberean.org/ministries/resource/servicenetwork.  God delights in our service.  It’s His plan and it’s our call, privilege and honor.