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Making a Difference: Bellevue Loves Memphis
In 2008 Pastor Gaines galvanized his congregation to reach the city of Memphis in unprecedented ways through an ongoing ministry called Bellevue Loves Memphis (BLM). Based on Isaiah 58, Jeremiah 29:7, and Matthew 25:34-46, BLM reaches out to “the least of these,” meeting the physical needs of hurting people. “We do that so we can earn the opportunity to meet their greatest need, which is spiritual, by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them,” he explained.
One way the congregation has enthusiastically supported BLM is by purchasing a state-of-the art mobile dental clinic. While volunteer dentists provide free dental care, other volunteers share the Gospel with each patient. Another BLM project is The Vue, a college center strategically located near the University of Memphis and other college campuses. Opened in 2009, The Vue is rapidly becoming a social and spiritual hub for college students in a safe, Christ-centered environment.
Every three months 700-1,000 church members participate in BLM workdays, organized like mini-missions trips throughout the Memphis area. Through 20-30 community service projects on each workday, volunteers clean school yards, repair football fields, roof widows’ houses, clean up urban blight, and assist inner-city churches. As they minister in tangible ways, they share the Gospel with everyone they meet.
Prior to the school year beginning, Bellevue has opened its doors to city and county school teachers and administrators for in-service meetings. And in the spring, Bellevue has invited high schools to hold their graduation rehearsals and ceremonies at the church. Because of BLM, many people of Memphis are being served in Jesus’ name and they are hearing and responding to the Gospel. People of various ethnic groups are seeing and taking note of the genuine love that is exuding from Bellevue’s members in the BLM projects and efforts. This was evident in April 2009 when the April 4th Foundation presented Bro. Steve with the Open Door Award in recognition of Bellevue’s impact upon the city.
Two Bellevue satellite churches, Impact and Bella Vista, are meeting the spiritual needs of people in different areas of Memphis. And in the fall of 2009, a third satellite church will open its doors in Arlington, centrally located in the fastest growing area of Shelby County.
All these ministries put Bellevue’s new mission statement into practice. Based on The Great Commandment in Matthew 22:37-40 and The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, the simple, four-fold statement is: “Love God, Love People, Share Jesus, and Make Disciples.”
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