I am thankful to be a part of a church family who is serious about the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20. Over the coming weeks we have teams serving in New York, Baltimore, Senegal, and Guatemala. Still others will serve our local community through ministry in nursing homes and homeless shelters. Many will be involved in prayer-walking and in leading block parties.

Whatever gifts and abilities a person has—there is a unique place to plug in and be a part of reaching the nations with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Some, however, still doubt they have anything to offer. They feel intimidated about signing on the dotted line and committing to serve. I can’t speak or preach or travel 2000 miles…

So…just for fun, I’d like to share a simple poem that outlines important qualifications required for involvement in ministry.

As long as someone can check at least one thing on this list, they are good to go…

QUALIFICATIONS FOR SERVING IN MINISTRY

Can you…

Tie a shoe,

Wipe a tear,

Hold a hand,

Calm a fear?

Squirt some glue,

Share a smile,

Sit and listen

For a while?

Wash a dish,

Hum a tune,

Swing a mop,

Push a broom?

Can you toss

A wet balloon,

Make a craft

From a spoon?

Can you run

A relay race,

Throw a ball,

Paint a face?

Can you fold

Your hands in prayer,

Give a touch

To show you care?

Can you get down

On your knees,

Learn to share

God’s ABCs?

‘Cause if you care

Like Jesus does,

You can share

His awesome love.

For Jesus did

The simple stuff—

He laughed, He cried,

He held, He loved.

And He wants us

To look for needs,

To witness to

The “least of these.”

So, if out of love

You’re willing to try,

There is great news:

You qualify!

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8