Reach One More: A Call to Action
We are inviting you to embark on a new chapter at Christ Community Church called Reach One More. This vision has been part of CCC's DNA for over a century, but in the 2020s, we are giving it fresh expression. Today, October 22, we're launching a five-week period of self-reflection, recommitment to Jesus, and realignment of our lives and our church around his promises.
The Philosophy Behind Reach One More
The roots of this philosophy extend far beyond 102 years that CCC has been around. It traces back over two thousand years! As we delve into the book of Acts for the next five weeks, we’ll focus on what that means to reach those around us (here), those in our city (there), and those in our world (everywhere). To help us navigate this journey, we've put together the Reach One More booklet as a resource for you. It includes space for sermon notes, personal devotions, and a link to Community Group discussion guides.
The Act Starts With Acts
Our journey in the book of Acts begins with Jesus’ resurrection and his interactions with his disciples over forty days. During this time period, he expanded their understanding of the cross, the resurrection, and the kingdom. However, the disciples were still caught in an old paradigm, thinking of a political kingdom for Israel. In response, Jesus resets their thinking and outlines his ministry plan for the next 2,000 years.
In Acts 1:8, Jesus presents his master plan for reaching the world:
Jerusalem: Start here. This is where you have credibility, relationships, and a lot working in your favor.
Judea & Samaria: Expand to places that are close by but may be ethnically different.
Ends of the Earth: Go everywhere and tell everyone about Jesus.
Our CCC logo is a reflection of Jesus’ plan in Acts 1:8. It symbolizes our mission to reach Here, There, and Everywhere. This mission is rooted in the idea that people there matter here. Christians exist not just for their own benefit but for the lost—those who are searching, disconnected, and in need of something more significant.
Identifying Your “One More”
As we embark on this Reach One More journey, we want each of you to ask a powerful question: “Who is your ‘one more’?” This is the one person you'll pray for, share with, love, and witness to daily. We encourage you to write their name down, share it with your Community Group, and pray consistently for them.
The Role of Prayer
Consistent prayer plays a pivotal role in the Reach One More initiative. Those who pray daily for opportunities to witness are more likely to get those opportunities. We need to consistently ask God to open doors and redeem lives, and he is eager to answer that prayer if we make it a regular practice.
The Reach One More initiative isn't just about individuals but extends to various groups in need:
Deaf Ministry: Omaha is a hub for Deaf individuals, and we have a unique opportunity to reach this unreached people group. We aim to be more inclusive and provide resources to expand this ministry.
Students: Our Student Center has served us well for eighteen years, but it’s due time for an upgrade to reach students for another eighteen. We need to share the stories of David, Goliath, Daniel, Moses, and, most importantly, Jesus with them.
Youth Sports: Our soccer and flag football ministries are growing, and we must seize the opportunity to share the gospel with young athletes who may have never heard these stories before.
A Call to Sacrificial Giving
In the next five weeks, I'll ask you to give sacrificially towards Reach One More. It's not just about financial commitment; it's about who is first in your life. We are stewards of God's resources, and we must prioritize him in our spending. Giving first to God is a testament to his importance in our lives.
In Acts 2:42–47, we see the early Church’s simple yet powerful practices that led to exponential growth:
Apostles’ teaching (Bible reading and prayer)
Fellowship (community)
Breaking of bread (communion and eating together)
Prayer
This is what we all need today—a steady diet of God's Word, good friends who follow Jesus, and time with God in prayer. These practices should be the foundation of our lives.
The “One More” Prayer
Challenge yourself to read one chapter of Acts each day for 28 days and pray, “Do it again, Lord.” Pray for healing, salvation, and spiritual growth. God is still at work, healing people, setting them free from spiritual bondage, and changing lives in Omaha.
Our goal is to reach one more, and it starts with identifying your “One More.” They matter to God, and their life has the potential to impact generations. With over 3,000 people at CCC, each of us reaching one more means we’re reaching thousands more. God believes in you, and I believe in you. So—are you in?
As you go throughout your day, I want you to think about your “One More” and lift that person in prayer daily. We have an incredible opportunity to change lives and bring more people into the fold of God's love. It's not just a commitment to CCC; it's a commitment to God's mission. Let's do it together and be part of something extraordinary!
Blog adapted from October 22, 2023 message by Minister Mark Ashton
