Last weekend I discovered that Saturday morning superheroes are not confined to the cartoons.  They’re alive and well in Gaithersburg.

But these superheroes don’t wear capes.  Or tights.  They wear regular street clothes.  And they swoop in to help those who are in need of something very basic.  Language skills.  Yep, I’m referring to the volunteers who run our weekly ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) program.

I was there on a Saturday morning with my Rooted group.  (We were on a field trip of sorts, one designed to help us experience part of God’s purposes for his people…to be involved in serving others, meeting people at their point of needs and graciously offering ourselves.)  What I discovered was that there is an incredibly dedicated team of teachers, assistants, child-care workers, tutors, and more who make sure each week that those in our community who need English language skills can get them.  Free.

They also provide a positive experience for the small children of these immigrants.

And they provide tutoring for the school age kids.

And they provide snacks/food for everyone who attends.

And they have to do set-up and tear-down every week (which is very familiar to many of us Seneca Creek veterans.)

Every week.

Why?  Because how we meet and treat the immigrants/foreigners among us matters.

• It matters to each of the people who attend. They’re incredible people, with stories that are often hard to even fathom.  And these classes are critical for their survival and success.
• And it matters to God. He has an intense concern for the outsider, the stranger, the alien.  Over and over this theme comes up in the Bible.  Here’s one example:

“‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. 34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 19:33-34)

I found out there are superheroes at Seneca Creek on Saturday mornings, loving the foreigners in a tangible, God-honoring way.  A special shout out to Yvonne Ellis and her amazing ESOL team.  Y’all ROCK!

And if any of you are looking for a way to make a difference in this world, and a way to put your spiritual growth on turbo-mode, I can’t think of a better way than by becoming part of this team of superheroes.

– Pastor Mark

P.S. Speaking of learning a new language, don’t miss our current series, “Learning the Language of God.”  It’s the best way to develop a dynamic and powerful relationship with your heavenly father.