03-23-23

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
​March 23, 2023
I grew up hearing about the National Benevolent Association. Though the word ‘benevolent’ was not a common word for a young kid, I had heard stories about the six women in St. Louis who gather for a Prayer Meeting. The year was 1886, and these women from First Christian Church were praying "about the plight of the homeless and helpless." Some of these women went from house to house, from church to church, collecting money. Their work gave birth to the NBA (the other NBA).

This Sunday, Mark Andersen, the President and CEO of the NBA, will be with us at Cypress Creek Christian Church. Mark is a lifelong Disciple from Peoria, Illinois, and I first crossed paths with Mark because both of us were attending Phillips University in Enid, OK, though Mark was graduating as I was entering (he’s a lot older). NBA is one of our denominational agencies that will benefit from our Special Easter Offering (which will take place in a few weeks). A portion of your gift will support our General Church’s Health and Social Service Ministries, or what we call the National Benevolent Association.

Don’t miss Sunday. You’ll absolutely love Mark, and it will provide a face that you can attach to the amazing ministry that started at a little Disciple congregation in St. Louis more than 135 years ago.

Where the hands and feet of Christ are needed, Merciful God, may your Spirit animate this body called the church. Let us be the servants that Jesus taught us to be. Amen.