By Emily McVicker of Bevier, Missouri, USA
The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.
(shared as part of the International Leaders Meeting, June 2025)
God’s work and messages are loud sometimes—and the irony isn’t lost on me, for multiple reasons. I am a high school English teacher. Writing is such an integral part of life, and it’s sometimes amusing how God’s stories unfold.
So, when Amy Hoerchler, USA Field Support Minister Team Lead, reached out to ask if I would share a story about a time I witnessed my congregation living our mission in a meaningful or transformative way, I laughed—and then cried (for those who know me, that will come as no surprise). I am proud that the outreach work my congregation continues to do is being noticed.
At the time, I was driving west on I-70 after attending a memorial service in Illinois for a dear friend’s husband. I was on my way to meet another dear friend who had recently lost her daughter’s father. Ms. Hoerchler explained that someone from the mission center had given her my name “because of my spirit of generosity,” and that I might be interested in writing about how our congregation was doing this work.
Ironically, just that same week, our pastor asked me to give the Disciples’ Generous Response. The worship resources for that week encouraged us to share a testimony—a brief description of a service project or community outreach that we had participated in. We had an opportunity that day to impact the life of a special person in our congregation. Our congregation took up a special offering for that daughter, who had been the one to discover her father after he failed to report to work. His estate was tied up in probate, yet the newly adult daughter was still responsible for financial matters. We had raised a substantial amount of money—so much, in fact, that I did not feel comfortable sending it via the United States Postal Service. Instead, I was on my way to deliver it in person and to embrace the people who are very much a part of our congregation.
And in that moment, I realized I was right in the middle of the spirit of generosity. We had just done that for the young lady.
Prayer Phrase
“For in him all things…were created…” (Colossians 1:16).
The International Community
Find (or imagine) a globe or map of the world. Look at all the nations and find a country other than your own. Notice the geographic distance between your homeland and this one. Picture a person living there. Pray for this person. Sense God’s love connecting you just as the oceans connect the continents. Thank God for the spiritual connection you have with all of God’s people around the globe. Ask a blessing on the church as a community sharing Christ’s peace, drawing all into the family of God.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.