December is here and Christmas is just around the corner! As we end off the year, our final monthly theme for 2021 is “Community.” Since Christmas is a time for family and fellowship, we asked a few of our team members why they value “community,” how fellowship has changed their lives and how we can create “community” in our everyday. Here is what they said…

To me, “community” is the gathering of people and where people are, there is community.
Rev. Suzette Hattingh

“To me, “community” is the gathering of people and where people are, there is community. Heaven was a community; a Family – God Father, God Son and God Holy Spirit.  When Jesus came to earth as a babe, God once again did not leave Him on his own. He was put in a family because God loves family.

During the Christmas season we see the deep longing for family more than any other time of the year. We witness the sadness of those who have no one, the longing of those who have family but are separated, and we see also the joy of being together, because Christmas is “family time.”

Christmas is an opportunity where you can make a difference by opening your heart and home and giving someone who would have been alone the gift of a Christ-like Christmas – and in doing so, creating “community!”

-Rev. Suzette Hattingh

I realized that God didn´t want me to be an island but rather find a place where I feel loved, accepted, encouraged and wanted – a place where I can grow in my knowledge of Christ, my character, my giftings and where God can use me to serve others.
Benjamin Fech

“When I gave my life to Christ and I was delivered from an addiction of playing computer games for up to 10 hours a day! I had so much free time after that, so I started visiting a small group regularly.

We were a bunch of people hungry for God and so we’d spend numerous hours (often until midnight) reading the Bible, worshipping and enjoying food and fellowship together. Now, seven years later, these are the very same people that I still call my closest friends and I can truly say that without this „community“ I would have fallen back into my old habits.

When we came together we shared our greatest secrets, fought the daily battles for another and encouraged each other to follow Christ. I realized that God didn´t want me to be an island but rather find a place where I feel loved, accepted, encouraged and wanted – a place where I can grow in my knowledge of Christ, my character, my giftings and where God can use me to serve others. It is always better to be together than alone.”

-Benjamin Fech

God has created us to live in community, giving and receiving support which leads to the fruit of generosity and gratitude.
Shirley Woolley

“I believe in living in a community of people that can support each other in hard times as it is really God’s will for His people. Especially in this day and age, God is bringing all believers together, regardless of race, colour, creed or nationality.

It is the love of God that binds us together. Love is essential to be a follower of Christ. We cannot live a life of independence. We need each other. Scripture says that we are better together than we are alone. (Col 3:14)

God has created us to live in community, giving and receiving support which leads to the fruit of generosity and gratitude. We also learn to be responsible for one another and to live in unity. (Ecc. 4:12)

– Shirley Woolley

“Community” means to look through the eyes of someone else into their situation and see how best I can help that person.
Rev. Gayle Claxton

” Community” – a word that is used to define a lot and has the potential to change lives.

I believe “community” is being a practical help wherever there is a need among people who are not blood family. “Community” means to look through the eyes of someone else into their situation and see how best I can help that person. Giving something of myself – maybe time, maybe a conversation, maybe a smile…but being pro-active to help someone so that their day can be a blessing. In short, I would say that we create community when someone else benefits from my life and me being there.

– Rev. Gayle Claxton

It’s a commitment, dedication and serving to others without expecting anything in exchange.
Samara Föhlisch

“Community for me is like family – the family I chose…

It’s a sharing of life and experiences, supporting each other and being free to be who I really am without having to pretend. It’s a commitment, dedication and serving to others without expecting anything in exchange.”

– Samara Föhlisch

One of the aspects of community is authority. We see this the first time when God blessed Adam and Eve – He did not bless them as individuals but blessed them together and gave them authority!
Heike Staiger

In the Bible we see again and again how important community is to God.

One of the aspects of community is authority. We see this for the first time when God blessed Adam and Eve – He did not bless them as individuals but blessed them together and gave them authority! Not as individuals, but both of them together!

Deut. 32:30 speaks of one that chases a thousand and two that do not only put double as much to flight, but together they put ten times as much to flight as they might have done as individuals! What power lies within community! We are so much stronger in community than we are when we fight alone.

We see an increase of authority and power when there is unity. Jesus said: “… if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.” (Mt 18:19 NKJV). – Wow! What power and authority has the Lord entrusted us with! Yes, as individuals, but how much more as a community and how much more when we come together in unity!

– Heike Staiger

On that note, we want to thank each and everyone who is reading here, for being part of our Voice in the City Community. Thank you for your support in prayer and finances throughout 2021. We wish you a wonderful Christmas and we are looking forward to building God’s Kingdom with you in 2022!