Scripture:Phil. 2: 4
“Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”
This is a joint program with the women from the Adult Rehabilitation Centers. Ahead of time inquire if someone in leadership at the ARC would come and speak to the women’s ministries group sharing information about the women’s program.
What is an ARC?
The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center ministries in the United States provide an in-residence rehabilitation program with a focus on basic necessities. Each beneficiary (program participant) is provided with a clean and healthy living environment, good food, work therapy, leisure time activities, group and individual counseling, spiritual direction and resources to assist them to develop life skills and a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Anyone is welcome, as long as they are willing to participate in a Christian program of recovery and are willing to work as a way of funding their stay as they undergo treatment. The rehabilitation program generally runs for 6 months. All of the beneficiary’s food, shelter and clothing will be provided during this period. The ARC desire is to provide a sober sanctuary for those with nowhere else to go and who want to change their lives for the better.
Learn About Your Local ARC
- Where is the closest ARC?
- Is there a women’s program that is part of the ARC?
- Does your city have Thrift Stores that support the ARC?
How Can the WM Group Help?
- Do they need volunteers?
- Do they need financial assistance?
- Is there a special event your group can assist with?
- Would they benefit from baked goods or homemade meals?
- Could you work with the beneficiaries to make cards to send to their loved ones?
- What programs does your corps have that people could join following the completion of the ARC regimen?
- Could you set up prayer partners with interested women in the ARC?
- Is there the possibility of become accountability partners with the women?
The Least of These
As Christians, we can all agree that caring for the poor and marginalized is a central principle of the gospel. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus commands us to care for “the least of these.” These words are preceded by a beautiful word picture in which sheep represent those who care for others and goats represent those who do not.
Regardless of a person’s status in society Jesus wants us to be compassionate and caring to everyone. This passage, however, focuses primarily on those who are seen as the least in our society. Men and women who have hit rock bottom in their addictions might be seen, as one writer expressed it, as “the least, the last, and the left out …”
In Latin there is a phrase which might serve to inspire as we focus our hearts and minds on serving others. When we care for others, we experience coram deo. This Latin phrase is translated as “in the presence of God.” It is the idea that Christians live in the presence, under the authority, and to the honor and glory of God.
It is our responsibility as Christians to care for others by offering life, love, and lasting hope. The beauty of this parable is in Jesus’ promise that when we care for others, we are actually caring for Him because we live in coram deo.
(End with prayer:)
Heavenly Father,
Help us to live our lives for Your honor and glory. We need always to be mindful that we live in Your presence at all times. Thank you, Lord, because You give to us life, love, and lasting hope through Your Son, Jesus. Help us to be Your hands and feet. Help us to be humble. Grant us the wisdom to ask questions and not to assume that we know what is best. Lord, we thank You for the example Your Son gave to us while He was on this Earth. Help us to be more like Jesus each and every day. We love You. Amen.
