In my opinion, Operation Reach Back should be implemented in every Christian church.

Reach Back means that people who have been blessed by God, reach back to other people to help them up or out in some way.

Below is an outline of how Operation Reach Back should work.

Somewhere in the church, an area should be made for a clothes closet for good, useable, used clothing that can be given to other church members that have a need in the event of loss or emergency. If more clothes are gathered than can be used by church members, give the excess clothing to local charities.

Each church should have a food pantry. This would be for church members who are temporarily out of work or who have an unexpected need for food but cannot, for some reason, purchase it from a store. This pantry should not be an ongoing grocery supply for any one person or family but for temporary needs only. Once a month have members bring food to the church.

There should be an area of the church for a Reach Back board. This is a bulletin board where members of the church can post a need or a job that needs to be done. Someone who needs work could then choose a job that needs to be done. Those who are in a position to do so could also find a need they would like to fulfill. The compensation for work done would be decided between the parties themselves and the church would not have any obligation or responsibility beyond the initial posting. People in the church would also be allowed to post their skills or jobs on the board so that church members would be able to choose from those when needed.

Members that are homebound or unable to secure transportation would be able to post their needs on a section of the board where someone could see those needs. Someone with time and transportation could then contact the posting party to see if they could assist them. Compensation would be between the involved parties and the church would not have responsibility or obligation beyond the posting.

God wants to have His children’s needs met, but we as a nation and churches must humble ourselves to each other and to God so that He may meet those needs.

Every church should encourage their members to secure at least two prayer partners that they believe will be faithful and confidential. These partners should be able to be called upon at any time for prayer and prayer support. God will bless a praying and praising church that meets the needs of it’s congregation.

If each church would seek God’s will for meeting the needs of it’s members, God will fill the churches with people and blessings so great that the church cannot hold them all.

Pray to God and seek Him and His will about implementing Operation Reach Back in your church.

ãCopyright Jamon 2002