Fruitfulness

What is Fruitfulness?

“You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you

to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last…”     -Jesus   John 15:16

“If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me…”  -Paul  Philippians 1:22a

It is our core belief that we were made to serve God by serving others.  We care for those within our congregation. But, we also believe that Jesus’ instruction to bear fruit means to empty ourselves into our community, and our world.  By giving ourselves away, we believe others will find healing, freedom, and hope.  Thus we enlist in lives of fruitfulness.

Watch what CGBC has been up to in 2010:




“Inside” Ministries - serving one another

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.  Romans 12:4-5

These critical ministries are the “nuts and bolts” of congregational life.  Whether leading in worship, teaching a class, providing nursery care, welcoming guests, or supporting any host of functions from behind the scenes, it requires much investment to keep a congregation thriving as it follows Christ.

“Outside” Ministries- serving the world

Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” -John 21:17b

We endeavor to pour ourselves out as Jesus modeled and taught.  Whether leading worship at Evergreen Retirement Center, or feeding hungry people at the Salvation Army, or collecting gifts and commodities for families around the world, we pray our service will bear fruit, fruit that will last.  Our Fruit Co-op coordinates our efforts.

Ongoing “Local” Fruit-bearing:

  • Evergreene Nursing Care- “Tuesday Church” provides weekly worship and human connection to residents in assisted living
  • Toolbox Ministry -providing general home repair & maintenance for those in need.
  • Rideshare- providing rides to those unable to drive to appointments, etc.
  • Salvation Army- providing food for hungry individuals (led by youth)
  • Hats!- providing fun head covering for local neighbors undergoing chemotherapy
  • Food Bank- collecting food monthly to supply local food bank
  • Clothes Closet- providing hours to local/associational clothing center

Recent “Distant” Fruit-bearing:

  • Pearlington, Mississippi- in 2006 and 2007, two teams followed Hurricane Katrina to help restore ravished neighborhoods with new homes.
  • Jamaica- a team of men and women helped congregations rebuild, repair and clean up their churches following 2004 hurricane devastation.
  • Barbados – July 2004
  • Brazil- construction teams went in July and December 2003

For more information about these and other opportunities to serve, please click here to download our 2010 Nominating Committee Packet.