Global Missions at Cedar Springs

Compassion Ministry

 

The word compassion is derived from the Latin words "pati" and "cum," which together mean "to suffer with." Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion and anguish. Compassion challenges us to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep with those in tears. Compassion requires us to be weak with the weak, vulnerable with the vulnerable, and powerless with the powerless. Compassion means full immersion in the condition of being human. - Henri Nouwen

Our Vision

Cedar Springs Church is committed to the ministry of compassion and mercy. The Bible is very clear about our responsibilities to each other as followers of Christ and to those outside of our congregation. Whether moving a family, helping with financial needs, cleaning or repairing a house, providing meals, visiting and fellowshipping with the widows and widowers, visiting those in prisons, feeding the homeless, aiding refugees, working in the inner city of helping with disaster relief, we strive to be the hands and feet of Christ to those around us.

How Do We Do This?

Through its members and in partnership with local organizations Cedar Springs is involved in the following areas:

• Aids Ministry -- We will seek to serve the AIDS community through non-judgmental outreach and service. We will educate ourselves about AIDS so that we might better understand its victims and how we can minister to them in the name of Christ.
• Appalachian Ministry -- We will seek ways of ministering to the physical as well as the spiritual needs of the people in the Appalachian region.
• Disaster Relief -- We will display the love of Christ by being ever prepared to meet the immediate life-sustaining needs of the victims of tragedy throughout the world.
• Homeless Ministry -- We will seek ways of ministering to the physical as well as the spiritual needs of the homeless in Knoxville.
• Inner-City Ministry -- We will show forth the love of Christ in compassion for the needy in our city and in designated inner city projects throughout the world.
• Prison Ministry -- We believe that only God, not the laws of men, bring about permanent change in inmates' lives. This is brought about by providing Hope that is based upon faith through sharing the joys of Jesus Christ.Refugee Outlook and Care -- We will minister to the refugees of the Knoxville area with emotional support, friendship and providing material items such as food, clothing and housing.