Many of you have heard about Local Hope’s new online tool and many others have already signed up (thank you!). We are hearing stories about how it’s easier and much more manageable to meet needs within our community … as an individual, as a family or even serving together as a home group.

So what can you do with the new online tool that you couldn’t before?
Now you can easily search for specific needs based on your availability as well as your areas of interest. Say you have some extra furniture to donate or even just a few hours to spare next Saturday. Simply visit gethope.net/local-hope, register or login, select what you’re interested in doing (such as donating furniture) and/or the date you’re available. From there a list of opportunities will populate and you’re instantly connected to local needs.

Find additional login and search details in our Pastor of Adult Learning, Chase Gardner’s, video below.

Stories from Local Hope volunteers
After serving with her small group at Ship of Zion, Laurie C. said, This Christmas I had the privilege of serving alongside my small group family at the Sir Walter Apartments in downtown Raleigh. We attended and served holiday meals at their annual Christmas party. Working the buffet line, we had the opportunity to speak to each resident as they filled their plate. Some were all smiles, some were quiet, some came dressed in their holiday best, but each and every person that passed through the line was so appreciative. It was definitely a blessing to see first hand how our church has reached out to the Sir Walter community. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to serve the residents that night and I feel blessed to have a wonderful group of friends to share the experience with! Looking forward to the next opportunity!

In response to Raleigh Rescue Mission’s request for blankets, Kim B. said, My daughter and her friend had a blanket drive in West Oaks and Ballentine subdivision in FV. They collected 38 blankets and I delivered them to the Raleigh Rescue mission yesterday.

After meeting a need at the Newbern House Elsie T. said, It was a great display of team work. It is the first time I had seen so much food there and there were no leftovers. Amazing! We feed over 200 people in 2 hours. Thanks to Mandy, Ben, Nicole and other volunteers! May God bless the volunteers and those who visit the program.

Over the past few months we’ve been talking a lot about our vision: to reach the Triangle and change the world. So many of you have made it obvious that you’re on board and have already stepped up to be a part of this vision, which we’re incredibly grateful for. We are all part of the body, which is why it’s so important that we’re all on the same page and working towards the same goals in order to impact the Kingdom.

We constantly hear stories of transformation at Hope, especially when people begin to serve. Stories that are real, encouraging and from the heart. Would you like to hear how serving on First Impressions creates transformation in the lives of our volunteers and in those being served? Our volunteers speak for themselves in a recent video!

Do you currently serve on First Impressions or are ready to start? There are no obligations, simply come to Hope’s First Impressions Kick Off on Saturday, February 4, 2012 from 8:30am-12:30pm at the Raleigh campus. Both returning and new volunteers will have the opportunity to select or sample a team that interests them. Attendees will be given campus specific training and the chance to see just how small a big church can feel when a part of a team.

What is the first step? Register for the Kick Off online and ultimately learn what it means to be a part of First Impressions, where God’s love is experienced through ordinary people. (Acts 4:13)

Have you ever wondered why people get baptized? There are so many misconceptions about the purpose of baptism. To be clear, getting baptized will not get you into heaven. Like wearing a wedding ring signifies that you’re married, baptism signifies that we trust Jesus is God’s Son and there is nothing we can do to earn salvation apart from Him.

Just as baptism proclaims God’s grace in our lives, there is also an aspect of obedience tied to it. In Acts 22:16, Jesus says, “What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.”

If you have a relationship with Christ but have never been baptized, we’re here to reiterate what Jesus asked … What are you waiting for? Receive details and sign up online.

Earlier this month, many of you answered this calling to baptism and proclaimed what you believe at the Raleigh Campus. We pray that God uses each one of you to make an impact on His kingdom … at Hope, within the Triangle and throughout the world.

Have you been baptized? Share your stories with us below!

As many of you know, the mission of Hope Community Church is to love people where they are and encourage them to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

How can you be a part of this mission?

1. Live what you learn.
2. Serve where your gifted.
3. Connect with others.
4. Give from your resources.
5. Share what Jesus has done for you.

It all starts with one church. And you. Thank you for helping to reach the Triangle and change the world.

It’s a new year. A fresh, new opportunity to “let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Let’s discover how to do this together.