In fact, the name of the ministry S.H.A.L.O.M. comes from the Hebrew language and means more than just peace or more than just not being at war.
Is it not about time that we start not just thinking about what the individual letters of S.H.A.L.O.M. (Servant Hearted Anointed Leaders of Outreach Ministries) stand for but also take those definitions and look to see how we can apply them to the name as a whole?
In fact, in Isaiah 61:1-4, 6 the prophet speaks about the coming of the Lord.
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD�s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion�to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.
When reading this scripture it should be noted that the Lord has called each of us in the ministry to this cause. We are the ones who are to go into the land and minister to the individuals who have broken hearts and have been devastated by the community at large. We are to go into those areas and proclaim the �Good News� of the Lord. We are to comfort those individuals and empower them so that they can restore their own communities using us as an example.
How can such goals be accomplished when we act, think, or say things that one may construe as being racist? We need to know those things that others consider to be racist in any way and be open to positive criticism on things to use in place of that we know. For these reasons an education program be implemented as part of the ministry and that individuals need to be willing to not just change but also apologize for offending others.
Now I am not advocating that churches [or ministries] should compromise their doctrinal beliefs in order to get along with other churches, heavens no. Many churches today have fallen away from sound Biblical doctrine, bringing upon them the judgment of God. Those of us who share doctrinal truths that are the same ought to be united in faith and purpose [and that includes crossing over any other barriers that may exist] (Cook, Faith, FaithWriters.com)
One thing that keeps reverberating throughout this report is the fact that God has called us to reconcile ourselves not just to Him, but also to each other. How can we do this without being educated in those things that others find offensive and be willing to change. How are we to do what God spoke through Isaiah in Chapter 1:16b-17a: �Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed.�
True for Us Today???
Programs Work
route to the Garden of Gethsemane)