Jesus, in the Gospel of Luke, taught a parable about a lamp. In Luke 18:16-18, says, “Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light.”

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, your light should be shining brightly. But is it shining only on Sunday? Is it shining only in the halls and vestibules of your church? Or is your light shining on the outside of the church walls? Is it shining in the streets with the homeless and the broken? Is your light casting beams of hope to the prisoner, to the widow and the orphan? Is your love shedding light on the abused, the hungry, and the diseased?

WILLET’s lyrics continue to share that Christ’s love forgives, restores, redeems and endures. Jesus is the friend that is closer than a brother. He wants a relationship with you. He loves you unconditionally. He gave His life for you. If you have a light, it is high time to let it shine till the whole world sees. And if you have a voice, than sing it out until the whole world hears.

How can you do that? Here is one way that you can shine your light and have your voice heard. You can help us at The Hunger Strike to complete our goal of packing 100,000 meals for the famine in East Africa. WILLET’s front man, Jeremy Willet, turns 27 this Saturday. To celebrate this, you could provide 42 meals with a donation of $27 HERE.

1. MEDITATE daily on the teachings and life of Jesus.

2. REMEMBER always that the nonviolent movement in Birmingham seeks justice and reconciliation-not victory.

3. WALK and TALK in the manner of love, for God is love.

4. PRAY daily to be used by God in order that all men might be free.

5. SACRIFICE personal wishes in order that all men might be free.

6. OBSERVE with both friend and foe the ordinary rules of courtesy.

7. SEEK to perform regular service for others and for the world.

8. REFRAIN from the violence of fist, tongue, or heart.

9. STRIVE to be in good spiritual and bodily health.

10. FOLLOW the directions of the movement and of the captain on a demonstration.

As a church planter, I have a dream too. A dream that churches would be full of worshippers again. A church made up of all races, all social classes, and all ages. I dream of a day when pastors would once again be respected, not for their charisma or communication skills, or size of their church, but because of the Biblical truth they preach. I dream of churches working together to transform their communities instead of staking territorial rights and competing against one another. I have a dream of believers actually being disciples of Jesus rather than Sunday attenders.

I have a dream of a day when famine, malnutrition and disease will not take the life of children. I dream of nations living in peace with neighboring countries rather than stockpiling arms of war. I dream of every child having the chance of survival, a chance to become who God intended him/her to be.

I have a dream of the day when justice will roll like a river. You can be part of this dream by sponsoring a child at www.fh.org/willet .

-Pastor Glen Willet, www.questcc.org

A new baby always brings change, demands responsibility for meeting spiritual and physical growth, creates reasons for care, and yes this new child costs something financially for many years to come. But what does it look like if this new baby is an orphan? What if the parents say ‘unto us a child is born, but we can’t care for it?’ Or ‘unto us a child is born, but I am dying?’ Or ‘unto us a child is born, but I have no more food to feed my children?’ Or what if the parents were tragically killed and the baby is now on its own?

Who speaks up for that orphan? Who takes care of that child? Who is now responsible? Who will pick up the financial part? Who will be the spiritual mentor for this child?

Just like the Magi’s visitors were humbled by the presence of a King in a smelly manger stall, I have been humbled many times as I have traveled to Haiti, Ethiopia, and Mozambique by seeing firsthand with my own eyes literally thousands of orphan children that are results of the above questions not being answered. What is even more troubling is the tens of thousands that die every day that never had the chance to speak for themselves or had a fighting chance to become what God wanted them to be.

As we celebrate the coming of our Lord Jesus, may we continue to pay attention to the many needs of orphans around the world. One way we can make a difference is by sponsoring a child. $32/month will provide the holistic care this precious child needs. You can communicate through letters. You can meet your child on a mission trip with The Hunger Strike team. Your support is a piece of the larger picture of transforming whole communities one child at a time.

-Pastor Glen Willet, Quest Community Church