All four of the Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - record the Great Commission to the church by Jesus Christ. Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:18-20, "Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Mark 16:15 records Jesus saying, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned." John records in John 20:21 Jesus saying "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." Luke writes in 24:26 Jesus saying, "?it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
"Every creature" and "all nations" include children! The Lord clearly indicates that little children can believe in Him (Matthew 18:1-14) and He places great value on little children (Matthew 18:5, 10). In Matthew 19:14 Jesus states "it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish." God loves each child and wants all children to be saved. If we are to be obedient to "The Great Commission", we must not forget the children.
"GO" Party is the Celebration Center of Marietta's response to the commandment by Jesus to "Go". "GO" Party is the name of our outreach ministry to the kids and their families of Marietta, our Jerusalem. Jesus has a special love for children and so do we. We show that love by sharing Jesus Christ with them during these events.
On Easter Saturday, April 23 we will "GO" to Flanders Field in the West Side of Marietta and host one of our Easter "GO" Parties for kids and their families who live in this neighborhood. There will be an Easter egg hunt, a gospel presentation, music and concessions, balloons and a barrel train. We hope the community will begin to equate "GO" Party as a wholesome family event where they can bring their kids and where laughter and joy abound.
We are God's hands and feet. He wants these kids in His Kingdom. The Lord is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). In Mark 16:15, Jesus commanded us to "GO". As we all become more experienced at going, may Mark 16:20 become real to us; "Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed His Word by the signs that accompanied it." We are expecting that the Lord will confirm His Word with signs, wonders and miracles. We hope that those who hear the gospel message on this Saturday will listen to their heart and receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We pray that many are brought into the Kingdom of Light and become passionate followers of Jesus. What a different place our Jerusalem would be if they were!
Peggy Deer is the wife of Gordie Deer, pastor of The Celebration Center of Marietta. She also works with the children in the church and Sunday School teacher, "GO" Party organizer. Thoughts of Faith is a weekly column written by various ministers and lay people. Those interested in scheduling a date for writing a Thoughts of Faith column should contact Christy Hudson at 376-5446 or chudson@mariettatimes.com.
