The Bible says, "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms" (1 Peter 4.10). In other words, to love God and to love our neighbors means that we use whatever gifts, talents, and skills that we have to serve both. Some of this service may take place within the confines of the church, but much of it will take place off the church campus.

At the First Baptist Church of Benbrook, serving God and others through the church takes a variety of shapes. It might mean mowing the church lawn, teaching a Sunday School class for children, volunteering with the student ministry, singing in the choir, or working in the sound booth. There are a myriad of ways to serve God and others through the various ministries of the church.

Of course, God and others can be served off the church campus, too. This takes place informally every time we each use our gifts in service among our families, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. It also takes place in organized fashions by working with local ministries and agencies to share the love of God in practical ways. Some of these include serving meals at the Presbyterian Night Shelter, delivering meals for Meals on Wheels, volunteering at the Crisis Pregnancy Center, or helping Refugee Services of Texas relocate a refugee family to Fort Worth. We also serve God and others by participating in short term mission trips to Mexico, Germany, Canada, and beyond. In addition, we serve God and others by financially supporting the International Mission Board as they send missionaries to the ends of the earth with the good news of Jesus Christ.