David Crocker of Operation Inasmuch presents a workshop during the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 2004 General Assembly in Birmingham, Ala., June 24-26.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The verse from Matthew 25:40 (KJV) exemplifies a new effort in churches across the United States to reach out in their communities in an attempt to meet physical as well as spiritual needs. At this year’s Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly, held in Birmingham, Ala., June 24-26, a number of workshops presented just a small part of this new face of social ministry.

Operation Inasmuch, created by David Crocker of Central Baptist Church, Knoxville, Tenn., falls in this up-and-coming category of church ministries. According to Crocker, these ministries "don’t focus as much on teaching and preaching, but instead focuses on sowing, using a hammer and doing lawn work."

Operation Inasmuch sends churches out into the community in a one day, all-out blitz of serving and support for residents in need. From building handicap access ramps for homeowners who cannot foot the bill, to providing quarters and free laundry detergent at the local laundry, congregations working as part of Operation Inasmuch are focusing on being an example of Christ’s love.

"Operation Inasmuch is not revolutionary," Crocker said. "What makes it different is that it is on a much larger scale and scope in the church and around the community."

But Crocker’s Matthew 25:40-inspired organization is just one of many ministries taking center stage on their church’s calendar.

Wayne Smith of the Samaritan Ministry presents a workshop during the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 2004 General Assembly in Birmingham, Ala., June 24-26.

Another such example is the Samaritan Ministry, which focuses on individuals living with HIV/AIDS. The ministry’s creator, Wayne Smith, has worked for nearly a decade with the support of his home church, Central Baptist of Bearden, also in Knoxville, to repair and foster a relationship that has faltered with the HIV/AIDS community in past years.

"Churches are doing a terrible job when it comes to reaching out to HIV/AIDS-infected people," Smith said. "Through the Samaritan Ministry, we are trying to change the church’s perception of these people, not with words, but with actions."

CBF has also stepped up to the challenge of expanding churches’ outreach in their communities. The Fellowship’s rural poverty initiative, Partners in Hope, works to aid rural communities by mobilizing churches to create programs, camps, and service projects that demonstrate Christ’s love.

The Fellowship also sponsors and partners with a number of other ministries on the state and national levels, including the Samaritan Ministry which works with Tennessee CBF.

One roadblock, however, that both Crocker and Smith cite as a major reason why many churches still fail to become actively involved in social ministries is a lack of motivation.

"Doing something that mobilizes people to get up and go do ministry is extremely important," Crocker said. "It’s all about bringing people together who know what they want to do but simply don’t know how to do it."

Smith uses a four step response plan that he encourages people to utilize when first trying to begin a social ministry.

"You need to have awareness, compassion, love and witness," Smith said. "Jesus calls on us to love. We are His hands, feet and word in the world that doesn’t know him."

When promoting their organizations, both leaders provide a number of ideas that churches can put into action in their communities. From the Samaritan’s Food and Furniture ministry to Operation Inasmuch’s all day work blitz, these groups are having success mobilizing and motivating churches.

"Our church should be a beacon of light and hope, by way of Christ to anyone who suffers from or has family or friends who suffer from this disease," reads the Samaritan Ministry mission statement in reference to HIV/AIDS infected individuals. It