For a long time people have misunderstood church as a building. When we say church, we mean a community of people who follow Jesus within the larger community. As Jesus followers, we believe it is important to bring transformation by loving and serving the surrounding community. That's what Local Involvement is all about.
Many times the perfect opportunity to bring transformation through love already exists in our own families, workplaces and neighborhoods - we just don't recognize it. Everyone who follows Jesus should stay alert and do a little research into the needs and opportunities around them that will utilize their unique gifts, talents, interests and resources.
If you need help identifying some beginning opportunities, the resources on this page are here to get you thinking about where your talents and passions to serve can be put to work.
Bruised Reed
In 2005, three women discovered they shared a desire to bring a light to some of Lexington's darkest places by reaching out to women who work in local strip clubs. After much prayer, they felt their plan was simple: take food and gifts to exotic dancers who, like the woman at the well, are frequently ignored, humiliated and belittled.
Inspired by Christ, and the way He often met the physical need before the spiritual need, the three women began taking meals twice a month to one small club, and they were amazed at how quickly they were accepted by the employees. Now they deliver hot, home-cooked meals to five clubs, ministering to about 175 people every week. Bruised Reed took its name from Matthew 12:20 (NIV): A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out, till He leads justice to victory. The goal of the ministry is for the women working in these clubs to know we care and can provide a safe place for them to come with their questions and problems.
Prayer Team The Bruised Reed Ministry Prayer team lifts up this ministry in corporate prayer. Are you interested in being part of this team? Contact Lorri at lorrimills@hotmail.com
Food Teams We always need individuals who would like to prepare a dish once a month. If you are interested in being a part of the Food Prep team, please contact Donna at dja9@windstream.net
Delivery Team members go into the clubs every Wednesday night and take a meal to the women who work there. Training for the Delivery Team is required. If you are interested in serving in this way, contact Neile at heyneile@aol.com
Security Team We have a great group of men who ride along on Wednesday nights and wait in the club parking lots while the Delivery Team serves inside. If you'd like more information about the Bruised Reed Security Team, contact Steve at scobb@lfucg.com
Basic Needs
I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!
Jesus said that if we do something as small as giving a thirsty man a cup of water, we were doing it to him. Helping Through HIM works out of the truth, and seeks to show people the same value and dignity we would want to show Jesus if he was living in the flesh amongst us today. By building relationships with those in need and serving them with material items and/or service, we hope to connect them to Christ and to help them grow in full devotion to Him. Helping Through HIM is a service-oriented ministry that strives to holistically serve members and active attenders who are in need, disabled, or victims of disasters.
This ministry is based on your donated items that are received daily. To donate items, bring them to Building N (by the baseball fields) of our Harrodsburg Road Campus any day from 8am to 8pm.
When making a donation, keep in mind that we want to show people they're valued and restore their dignity, meaning - if you give people your garbage, they'll probably feel like you view them as garbage. A good rule of thumb is this: if you wouldn't give the item away to your best friend, don't donate it to Helping Through HIM.
Assistance from Helping Through Him is by appointment only. Contact Charlie to make an appointment. Please leave your phone number when you call or email about donating.
Medical Clinics
A couple of years ago, Southland's leaders had a dream to help care for the people in our community who do not have health insurance. That dream is now being realized through the Refuge Ministries Medical Clinics, which will offer primary care, dental care, pharmaceuticals, and other basic medical care.
To learn more, visit the Refuge Ministries website.
School Partnerships
We believe it is important to be investing in the lives of children both in our church and in our community. Because of this, we have partnered with public elementary schools to come alongside teachers and parents to support, pray for and encourage students.
Get more information about the Harrodsburg Road Campus school partnerships here.
At the Danville Campus you can get involved in our partnership with Jennie Rogers Elementary School.
Serve the City
Serve the City exists to carry Jesus' instructions by loving and ministering to the economically, spiritually and emotionally poor in our City.
Sports
The most recent information about current sports leagues can be found on the sports page.
Community Garden
We started a Community Garden on our Harrodsburg Road property to provide fresh vegetables to our neighbors in need. You can find out all about it on the Community Garden page.
Missional Communities
In addition to Serve the City, many Southland members serve the local community through Missional Communities: a group of people united around a common mission to serve the community as a response to how Jesus has served us. You can join one of the existing Missional Communities but we'd encourage you even more so to follow God's call to serve by starting a new missional community utilizing your gifts, talents and passion so we can spread out and love more of the city for Jesus.
Organizations
There are several organizations already working in Lexington to meet specific needs and help several groups of people. These organizations usually have room to take on additional volunteers to carry out their services. Rather than re-invent the wheel of service, you would do well to serve within these organizations to love people in our city.
We've compiled a list of these organizations on this page.