Dallas' Greeting

Jesus said: “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:40

My wife and I are in a Bible study group and Matthew 25:40 was a recent passage we delved deeply into. In it, Jesus tells a parable of what normal behaviour for God’s children ought to look like. It is a way of life that takes care of the needs of those God gives us the opportunity to help, and not because we get something in return from them. This is what God has created us for.

As we approach the Christmas season, I think about all the gift exchanges that will happen. Commonly, everyone who brings a gift will receive one in return. It comes full circle. But God’s gift in Christ is not that way. We can never offer something back to God as a repayment for the great gift of eternal life through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Instead, in receiving this gift from God, He changes our hearts to now live in a similar way that our joy of giving when nothing comes in return is a real true blessing.

We are also very grateful for you, giving and partnering with us in a similar way. You don’t give in order to receive, you give because it’s the natural expression of having received God’s gift in Christ.

As I write this I am reminded of one of the most powerful moments of our ministry this past year. A student graduated in early spring but stayed through the end of June to finish the school year. As his dad pulled up to pick him up, his belongings were loaded into the car and this student and his staff mentor embraced with many tears.

We have been through so much with this young man and have seen God do such an incredible work in his life. He often said he didn’t want to be at RSR early on, but the deep friendship and love that was formed between him and the staff and especially his mentor is more valuable than anything he could give in return.

God has truly blessed His children with so much, especially in Christ. May it be our natural response to give to the “least of these” out of gratitude to Jesus.

May you and your family know the goodness of God through the Christmas season and all through the year to come.

Thank you for your partnership!

Dallas Block
Executive Director