“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me…Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” – from Matthew 25
What does it mean to be a Matthew 25 Church?
Matthew 25 churches are grounded in the gospel. Jesus calls us to serve with and for “the least of these” – not as a group to be pitied, but as people who are deeply loved by Jesus. The three goals of the Matthew 25 initiative will help focus our energy and resources as Overbrook lives into Jesus’ call:
- Building congregational vitality by challenging people and congregations to deepen their faith and to get actively and joyfully engaged with their community and the world.
- Dismantling structural racism by advocating and acting to break down the systems, practices and thinking that underlie discrimination, bias, prejudice and oppression of people of color.
- Eradicating systemic poverty by working to change laws, policies, plans and structures in our society that perpetuate economic exploitation of people who are poor.
Matthew 25 Challenge:
As a congregation, Overbrook Church has committed to working together to become aware of ways we can learn about, and then engage in, discipleship which reflects the spirit of the passage from the Matthew 25 scripture noted above. There’s still time to sign up for the Matthew 25 Awareness Challenge! Weekly check ins are scheduled, but not required, for those wanting to discuss the challenge topics with the group. Contact Tina Johnson at tinarjohnson@gmail.com to register and to be added to the list.
As the weeks progress, we’ll link the materials below for you to utilize at your own pace. (Concept credit to Aldersgate Church in Midland, Texas.)