I told you in my last blog how much Michelle and I appreciate our LifeGroup. So that you know, what I said in that blog only scratches the surface of all that a LifeGroup does for us…and even more importantly, what it does for others.

We encourage all of our LifeGroups to serve outside of their own group at least once every 12 week session.

Here’s a great example of one of our LifeGroups that recently served beyond themselves…again!

From Ken Graff, one of those not pictured:

Here’s a photo of our group doing backpacks last weekend. Four people didn’t get in the picture but everybody donated items to the project.

This was our sixth year. We’ve done over 500 backpacks, usually 50 at a time. Each is tagged for a boy or girl, 4-10yrs or 11-16yrs old, packed with a blanket, combs, brushes, toothbrush & paste, a notebook, journal or coloring book, pens, pencils, crayons, a small toy or a stuffed animal, a children’s book the young and a small bible for the teens.

They’re delivered to Riverside County DPSS and go out with the officers who take children into protective custody for what ever reason. Since kids barely have time to dress they usually leave home with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Given a back pack as soon as they’re taken from the house they have something to hold on to while they are being processed and when they arrive at a foster home they have something of their own in their hands. We’ve been told the blankets and stuffed animals seem to be the most treasured and that they often keep the backpacks for a long time.

I love hearing about how our church makes a difference in this Valley. A very real key to this impact happens all the time through our LifeGroups. Thanks to all who serve beyond our walls!!!