First Assembly part of campaign

More than 30,000 churches around the world have participated in 40 Days of Purpose, including First Assembly of God Church, James-town. This spiritual growth campaign was launched by one of America’s largest churches, Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif.

Since that time many churches have participated in 40 Day campaigns produced by Saddleback Church. This fall hundreds of churches will take another step in a campaign by following Christ mandate when he was asked which the greatest commandment was. Jesus replied. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:36-39).

Rick Warren, author of the best-selling book, “The Purpose Driven Life,” calls this campaign 40 Days of Love. First Assembly of God Church in Jamestown is making plans to participate in the campaign that begins Sunday. The Rev. Darrell Losing said the congregation has been anticipating what “40 Days of Love will do for First Assembly and the Jamestown community.”

“Many churches have reported that 40 Days of Purpose was the most transforming event in their congregation’s history,” Warren said. “Thousands of church leaders have written us saying, ‘Our church will never be the same’ and ‘This is the greatest thing that has ever happened in our church.’ One pastor wrote, ‘I’ve seen more growth in our members and our church in 40 days than in the previous 13 years.’”

40 Days of Love moves people from focusing on themselves to focusing on the purpose on why they are on Earth, to love God with all their heart and to love all people as much as themselves.

In order to reach out to the community First Assembly is planning on 20 small groups meeting in various homes and locations throughout the community.

For information about First Assembly of God and 40 Days of Love, visit the First Assembly Web site, www.ourheartispeople.com or Purpose Driven Ministries at Purpose Driven.com. or call First Assembly at 252-4092.

Tags: assembly of god, 40 days of purpose, life, religion