By Pastor Barron Greenwalt, En-Joy Ministries
May 16, 2025

Dear En-Joy Ministries Family,

As followers of Jesus, we’re called to shine His light in a broken world (Matthew 5:16). God has placed us here to love others, seek justice, and live out His truth. I’ve been reflecting on a challenge that stirs my heart: to prayerfully identify a social problem in our community or nation, pray for it regularly, and be open to how God leads us to act. Today, I invite you, our En-Joy family, to join me in this journey of prayer and faithful action.

Step 1: Seeking God’s Heart

Start by asking God to show you a social issue that resonates with His heart and yours. Scripture calls us to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly” (Micah 6:8). Pray, reflect on God’s Word, and listen to the needs around us. Notice what stirs you—it may be God’s invitation to join His work of restoration.

Step 2: Social Problems That Need Our Prayers

Here are three pressing issues in our nation that, as your pastor, I believe call for our attention. Each is an opportunity to apply biblical truth and bring hope:

• Poverty and a Poverty Mindset: Many are trapped in cycles of poverty, often relying on government aid that can foster dependency. While we must care for the poor (Proverbs 14:31), the Bible also teaches the value of hard work and stewardship (2 Thessalonians 3:10, Proverbs 14:23). Breaking free from a poverty mindset means trusting God’s provision, making wise choices, and building a strong work ethic.
• Mental Health Crisis: Anxiety, depression, and loneliness are skyrocketing, especially among our youth. The church can offer Christ’s peace (Philippians 4:6-7) and be a place of hope for those struggling.
• Addiction: From opioids to other substances, addiction destroys lives and families. Jesus offers freedom (John 8:36), and we can support those seeking recovery.
• Family Breakdown: Divorce, domestic violence, and fractured homes hurt our communities. God’s design for families calls us to strengthen them through love and commitment (Ephesians 5:25).

Which issue tugs at your heart? Or is God highlighting another? Let’s pray to discern where He’s leading.

Step 3: Praying and Acting as a Church

Here’s how we can respond as a congregation:

• Pray Regularly: Commit to daily prayer for the issue God places on your heart. Pray for those affected, for wisdom in addressing root causes, and for your role. Join our monthly prayer night to intercede together.
• Listen for God’s Guidance: Stay open to the Holy Spirit’s prompting—through a conversation, a need you notice, or a sermon. Share what you sense with your small group or our ministry team.
• Take Action: Start small but act now. For poverty, mentor someone in financial literacy or job skills to break dependency cycles. For mental health, create a listening ear for someone struggling. For addiction, support recovery programs. For families, offer encouragement to a struggling couple. We’re exploring partnerships with local ministries like, e.g., a job training program or crisis center to make a difference.
• Engage as a Community: Together, we’re unstoppable. En-Joy Ministries will host workshops to learn about these issues, service days to meet needs, and forums to discuss biblical solutions. Watch for our “Faith in Action” series, where we’ll explore how to live out God’s call in these areas.

Step 4: Trusting God’s Faithfulness

Change takes time, but God is faithful (Psalm 33:4). Every prayer, every step of obedience, every act of love—it all matters in His kingdom. As we pray and act, we’re joining Jesus in bringing hope and transformation.

Let’s Get Involved

I’m thrilled to see how God will move through En-Joy Ministries. Here’s how to start:

• Join our Prayer Challenge: Choose one social issue and pray for it daily this month. Share your choice with your small group for accountability.

Let’s be a church that prays boldly and acts faithfully, reflecting Christ’s love in our community. If God is stirring your heart or you have ideas to share, reach out to me or our ministry team. We’re in this together!

With hope and expectation,
Pastor Barron Greenwalt
En-Joy Ministries

P.S. Visit en-joyministries.org for resources, event details, and ways to get involved. Let’s live out God’s truth together! Don’t forget to hit the subscribe button.

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En-Joy Ministries cultivates the joy of the Lord as a source of spiritual strength, rooted in scripture. Your donation empowers our mission to make disciples through biblical teaching, community outreach, farm-fresh giving, and meals for those in need. Help us spread the gospel and nurture mature believers who live out their faith. Every gift supports our work to enrich lives with God’s love. Thank you for partnering with us!