USA (MNN) — Remember when the Pharisees wanted to trick Jesus? It happened a few times, but you probably recall the story found in Matthew 22:35-40. "One of them, an expert in the law, tested Him with this question: 'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?'
"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.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Next month, a Global Aid Network USA (GAIN) packing event is helping Christ-followers fulfill both these instructions and the Great Commission.
"I think we have a proven model that not only fulfills the 'Great Commandment' to love your neighbor and provide him with food and blankets and the clothing that they need. But it also[fulfills] the 'Great Commission,' to go and make disciples of all nations," says GAIN USA's Director of Distribution Phil Liller.
From October 22-26, volunteers are invited to help GAIN pack containers full of aid they send to needy locations worldwide. The "aid" covers a wide spectrum of items.
"Anything from blankets for the refugee camps to food; we're also packing up heirloom vegetable seeds into Harvester Packs," says Liller. "There are five different varieties, and we send that to communities that need the development work.
"Along with our water program and agricultural training, it helps develop communities so they can be self-sufficient."
GAIN containers come with more than physical aid for people in need around the world.
"The humanitarian aid opens the door to have people hear the Gospel [who] would not have otherwise been able to get exposed to the Gospel," Liller explains.
"It's a door-opener; it's a multiplier. We will frequently team with The JESUS Film or the Cru ministry staff in the local countries, and it's exciting to be part of that."
And, it's not only the container recipients who grow in Christ. Those who participate in this event are often blessed as well.
"People come from as far away as California and Arizona and Canada to help us pack, and that's almost a yearly thing," says Liller.
"We have some people from the local area as well, and from surrounding states: New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, New York, Virginia, etc. To get more information on what we do and how to get involved, you can go to our Web site."
Click here to visit GAINUSA.org.
"Click on the 'Get Involved' tab and then it'll have the Distribution Center, and [it'll] give information on the packing event," explains Liller.
With age-appropriate packing activities, Liller says the entire family can join in.
"One of the things that we've done throughout the years is inviting families and having a family-friendly environment," he states. "We have some kid-friendly processes that we save for the younger kids, like packing up our Care Packs of school supplies."
Mentioning Proverbs 22:6, Liller says the packing event gives kids an early start on the Great Commission.
"If they start packing up aid at an early age, and hearing about what it does to help people overseas and about spreading the love of God, they get caught-up in doing it lifelong," he says.
Ready yet? You can connect with GAIN USA through the Featured Links section of our homepage, or you can click here to visit the Event page directly.
"If you're a Christian, you are a laborer for Christ in this life, and you've got to be doing something," Liller states.
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