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The following are ideas that a local body of believers may easily do to reach into and touch the lives of people living in our communities. Some are more suited to a particular church than others, but all should serve as a springboard to further creative thinking as we attempt to share Christ's love on our mission field.

Automotive repairs are especially urgent among single moms who are struggling to support their families and older adults on fixed incomes. Many folks in our churches have a good understanding of basic mechanics that could be shared on a regular basis to minister in a very special way to those in need.

Are there some great cooks in your church? Consider "baking for Jesus"! Prepare easy snacks and desserts, and then carry them as gifts to people in your community. You will be amazed at the doors opened and friendships kindled by such simple acts of kindness.

If you live in a community of many homes, create a neighborhood directory, and distribute it to your neighbors. This is beneficial on several levels. As you are preparing the information, carry around a brief questionnaire that asks about names, phone numbers, e-mail, occupations, and hobbies. Gather the info during your first brief visit, and be sure to properly introduce yourself as you tell them about the neighborhood directory project. Once the directory is ready, you are able to visit in the homes a second time to share a copy with the family. Additional visits during the year are welcomed as you update new information. If you combine this project with another you will always find your neighbors with an open door. If some folks are hesitant to share information, accept that, but be sure to drop off a copy when the directories are ready. At the next "issue," they may be more willing to join in.

Most households now contain one or more computers, and a large number of these are connected to the Internet. Interestingly, many computer users have very little knowledge of how to use their computers and software, safely surf the Internet, or troubleshoot and fix the problems that are guaranteed to occur. A congregation that can maintain a weekly computer users' group will always have new information and material to draw from and discover a never-ending path to participate with neighbors. If your church has taken the initiative to create and manage a Website, you will also have a connection with the families with whom you come into contact. If there are some with further technical skills, you can even offer repair when there is a need.

Daycare, babysitting, and Mom's Day Out are ministry opportunities that target young families who do not have family or paid child care available to them. Caring for young children around the clock can become stressful without additional support. A congregation can look into the needs of young families within the community and devise ways to relieve the parent for a few hours a week. This can either be carried out at the church or in an individual's home. At an appointed time each week the parents of the children know that they can count on your congregation to help them cope with the pressures and constraints brought about when caring for young children. This type of ministry does involve extra special planning. There should always be more than one volunteer present with the children, careful background checks of volunteers is a must, and if the children are cared for in the church or private home of a volunteer you must be sure to provide a safe and accident-free environment.

America is rapidly aging. Many older people are facing very desperate and tragic situations. Families have so dispersed that it is not uncommon to find older folks living in your community who have no immediate family living nearby. Others are on such limited income that they struggle with healthcare costs, home maintenance, transportation, and even the ability to put nutritional food on the table. Elder Care is a goldmine of opportunity for any congregation serious about caring for those in great need of a shepherd.

Over the past several years a number of volunteers have been involved in helping immigrants learn English as a Second Language. Part of the population growth we are seeing is because those of other lands are settling in the Bedford area. Wherever there are immigrants there exists the constant need for help with English.

Besides learning English, immigrants face many other challenges. Some need help finding places to live and work. Others would benefit from people willing to be there friends while helping them to learn how to get around in a new land. This may include shopping, going to the post office, cashing checks, getting around the region, and even going to the doctor. Imagine yourself in a distant land with different customs, language, and culture. Without a friendly helping hand it would be a very difficult experience.

It is a fact that most families in America struggle with financial decisions and burdens. Much of the root cause of this is a lack of knowledge of sound money management. There are many teaching resources that your congregation can make available to the community to help turn around a family's personal financial disaster. Weekly classes augmented by occasional special workshops or big-name conferences will go a long way in introducing your congregation to the community.

Do you know of anyone who has not faced grief? Your neighbors' experiences are much like yours, and when great hurt comes into their lives it is an encouragement and blessing to have others step up to support in physical needs and prayer. If you do your homework and take the time to get to know your neighborhood, you will become aware of many personal needs that come up throughout the year. For those facing difficulty without a pastor or church home, you may be more help than you can imagine as you become involved in grief care.

Identify military families in the area, especially those with active duty personnel deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Discover particular needs of the family. These may be related to a "single mom" trying to maintain a household.

There are more people in our communities with plumbing or electrical needs than you might suspect. These kinds of needs can be discovered whenever you visit in the homes of your neighbors or do small jobs for them.

If you or members of your church have summer gardens, have volunteers of the congregation help you identify neighbors who are without a church home or with special needs, and through the summer pick a basket of assorted vegetables to personally deliver to the homes. In addition to dropping off a basket of fresh produce you might help them learn how to grow their own garden, if they're interested. Be sure to carry along some information about other ministries at your church.

As you drive around your community take an inventory of homes that need roof repair. If you have some folks in your church who are roofers, gather together enough volunteers to help repair or replace a roof.

In the same way that you watch out for roof damage, look for those who might need steps or handicap ramps. With several volunteers this can be a quick one day job. You might also find an opportunity to return later to help add handicap access inside the house.

We don't often come into contact with individuals with special needs, but rest assured, they are all around us.

There are some in our communities that do not have transportation. Reasons may vary. Some may not have a driver's license or automobile, others may have a non-running vehicle, and still others may not be physically able to drive. Look for volunteers in the congregation who can give some time each week to help see that urgent transportation needs are met.

Whether it is about adult literacy or helping students after school with homework or special instruction, almost any of us are capable enough to help with tutoring.

Especially during the summer and fall, keep an eye out for neighbors who for one reason or another are not able to mow the yard or rake leaves. Maybe they don't have a lawn mower, or it could be that the mower is broken down, and there isn't enough money in the budget to have it repaired. Maybe someone in the church can offer to stop by and take a look at the mower at another time. Keep in mind that many older folks struggle to keep their yards up and would welcome volunteer help with yard care.