CareFest Report…Showing the love of Jesus to Rochester

A year ago, God gave His people a vision for a citywide, multiple church outreach of good works—servant evangelism without strings—to our community. On June 10, over 1600 Christians from about 25 area churches made that vision a reality. 

We served about 60 sites, painting, cleaning, repairing, and landscaping. Organizations served included the Boys & Girls Club, public schools, city parks, New Life Family Services crisis pregnancy center, Crossroads College, Casa de Paz (Hispanic outreach center), Friendship Place (outreach center), a foster home for the elderly, a Christian daycare, and a needy single woman from a local church. 

The work was diverse: window washing to pouring concrete, picking up litter to backhoe-loader work. Eleven electricians brought new light to a dingy Boys & Girls Club. At Quarry Hill, five chainsaws sang in unison (sometimes) as volunteers removed buckthorn. At times, the tasks seemed overwhelming… then came the reinforcements. 

Throughout the day, the Holy Spirit’s superintendence was clear to all as one leader phoned the logistics coordinator for ten reinforcements, only to have another  leader spontaneously call five minutes later with ten available. Project site leaders remarked that God’s work was evident by the fact that many projects involved believers from a variety of churches who had never before met, yet they worked together seamlessly with amazing productivity. 

The feedback from all the organizations we served was overwhelmingly positive as all planned tasks (and a few extras) were accomplished with excellence!

The feedback from all the organizations we served was overwhelmingly positive as all planned tasks (and a few extras) were accomplished with excellence! Community organization leaders said that the quality of work was better than that of the pros we pay. They remarked of the diligence and joy we displayed. They were amazed with our youth who served with great attitudes alongside the adults. One school janitor wept as he couldn’t believe how his school was transformed before his eyes. 

Many organization leaders remarked that, in light of budget cuts and tight staffing, much of this work could not have been accomplished for two to three years! 

Rochester Mayor Ardell F. Brede called CareFest, The Million Dollar Day for our city. One Christian leader, said that June 10, 2006 was the most spiritually significant day in our city in twenty-five years. 

Each of you who participated has a story to tell. Many commented that you loved working with believers from other churches and that you made a connection with the organization you served, having a deeper appreciation for its mission and a better understanding of the scope of its work and the challenges it faces. Over 1000 of you enjoyed the celebration at the end of the day at the  Graham Arena.

Who would have thought that hard work all day would be so rewarding? 

Our prayer and plans are to use the experiences of June 10 to create ongoing community service opportunities through which the love of Jesus can be shared with our actions and, through the relationships established, providing occasions to share Jesus also with words.

 Mark your calendars for June 16, 2007, as we anticipate next year’s CareFest!

 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. – Mark 10:45