Since R.A.M.’s beginning, an integral part of our ministry has been service.  We do this because we have come to realize that service is the bridge to redemption.  Jesus said, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to  give his life as a ransom for many.”  Did you see the connection between service and redemption?  When we humbly minister to others by serving them and meeting their need,  we build a bridge of trust between us and those we serve.  Taking the time to recognize someone’s need, and then expending the energy and resources to meet that need is a compelling reason for the served to let down their guard and come towards the servant, be it ever so gradually.  That bridge of trust forms a bond that gives opportunities for the verbal expression of the gospel of Christ and the love of God for man.

Two Sundays ago, I was joined by a group of “servants” eager to serve in Claremore, OK.  Six members of the Tulsa International Church of Christ partnered with RAM to paint the interior of “She Brews” Coffee Shop in downtown Claremore.  “She Brews” is a Christian Ministry to women coming out of prison and/or overcoming drug and alcohol addiction.  Part of their ministry is to employ these women and help them to obtain employable skills so that they can become self-supporting.  Our crew arrived in Claremore around 1:30pm on that Sunday and spent a good 4 to 5 hours putting a brighter, lighter coat of paint on the walls and brightening up what was once a drab gray.  Some of the ladies wanted the change to a lighter brighter color because the gray, as they said, reminded them of prison!  Not any more.  The new coat of white paint has brightened things up and we are grateful we could be a part of making that difference!  Although there are some final touches we need to add before we call it done, Daniel Miller, Operations Manager for She Brews said of our first round, “I’m at Claremore right now and the paint looks great!  Thank you so much – we appreciate the hard work of you and your team!”  We will be organizing another paint crew to finish up this project within the next few weeks.  If you would like to serve by helping us finish up this paint job in Claremore, email or leave us a message.  In the meantime, join us in praising God for using us to spread the love of Jesus with a few coats of paint at “She Brews” ministries.  God is working!