WHAT IS A "HELPS" MINISTRY

The ministry "Helps" is found only once in the Bible, 1 Cor.12:28. It refers to every kind of help God sets in His church; supporters, helpers, aids and etc. In Romans 16 Paul writes about different people who were helpers in Christ Jesus and laborers in the Lord.

1 Cor. 12:28 says: "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, "Helps", governments and diversities of tongues". Wow! "Helps" is listed in the same sentence with all the "biggies". That means those of us who help are a gift of God too!

In a local church, some of the Helps workers could be workers in the nursery, musicians, singers, ushers, greeters, intercessors, sound technicians, maintenance workers and etc. Helps ministries responds to a need when the Pastor cannot do so. Help workers should be doing the work instead of the Pastor. This enables the local church to operate smoothly and the Pastor is free to pray, study and preach the Word, Acts 6:2-4.

You may be thinking, "well that explains what a Helps ministry is in the local church but how does that apply in the Country Field Of Ministries". Let me share how the Lord has used me in this area.

First, I have been "blessed" with the gift of organization.  I like to work behind the scenes organizing special Christian activities and events that are passing through the Salinas Valley. Before I was officially "blessed" with a recognized, true Helps ministry with a 501(c) 3 (which I just received in January of 2001), I had been working in the helps ministry all along but hadn't realized it.

In 1992, I brought in Pro Rodeo Cowboy Preacher Coy Huffman to preach at our Cowboy Church Service during the Salinas Rodeo. In 1993 I organized and founded a Contestant Hospitality Tent for the Fellowship Of Christian Cowboys Rodeo Committee In 1999 we organized the first Christian Country Music Concert on Saturday nights during the rodeo, and this year, 2002, we hosted our first Christian Country Music Concert.  Also, at the beginning of this year our ministry founded and started 2 monthly Cowboy Churches, one in Salinas and one in King City.

In the worlds eyes, they may view us as an organizer, promoter or chairman of events, but I like to look at the Helps Ministry as a preparation ministry like John the Baptist had. His ministry was to prepare the way for someone coming who was mightier than him. I feel I am preparing the way for rodeo contestants, cowboy preachers, Christian country singers and any Christian activity and event coming through the Salinas Valley. All this planning comes through much prayer, hard work, dedication and commitment and total dependence upon the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit. My favorite scripture for my "Helps" ministry is Proverbs 16:3 "Commit your works unto the Lord and He will establish your thoughts (give you ideas)".

Biblically speaking, the ministry of "Helps" is a gift of God, but He gives you the responsibility to organize it.... GO FOR IT!