I didn’t do well with my NCAA brackets this year during March Madness. I chose too many lower seeds.

It’s a problem I have. I like underdogs.

So did Jesus (hopefully it’s why I do…).

According to Luke’s gospel, the first message Jesus ever gave was on the topic.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,
that the blind will see,
that the oppressed will be set free,
and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.   (Luke 4.18-19)

Throughout his ministry, we see Jesus taking care of those who couldn’t meet their own basic needs. He fed the hungry. Gave sight to the blind. Empowered the lame to walk. Healed the sick. Even raised the dead.

And he instructed us to do the same. In fact, he made it the very mark of a saved person.

He concludes his famous parable of he Sheep and the Goats by saying:

I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.

And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.  (Mt. 25.45-46)

How much of your time is spent doing what Jesus has very clearly called you and instructed you to do?

August 1-7 is the perfect opportunity. Spend a week in one of the most severely impoverished counties in America, serving the underdogs of Appalachia the way Jesus would. Help bring repair, refreshment, and wholeness to poor folks in southeastern Kentucky. It’s only a week. It’s only $250.00

The Place: Henderson Settlement, Frakes, KY

The Dates: August 1-7

The Cost: $250 each. Covers lodging and meals, and project costs.

The Contact: Tracie Buckley. tracie.buckley@zurichna.com

The Deadline: NOW! Get on this!

And to all my non-Threshold friends and readers, feel free to come along!