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Compassion in Our DNA

Rev. Dale Taylor, pastor of New Day Church of the Nazarene, in Riverdale, GA, shared in the NBC Chapel. President Scott Sherwood introduced him and said that Rev. Taylor was raising up African American leaders, who were raising up African American leaders. Rev. Taylor is so serious about Christian discipleship that he meets with those he mentors at 7:00 a.m. in the morning. When the demographics changed in the town where New Day church is located, many people left the church. Rev. Taylor and his wife stayed and have a new congregation now with people that reflect the demographics of the town where the church is situated. Many are from the Caribbean islands and are a joyous mix of people from all over.

New Day Church has two important compassionate ministries: immigration services which helps immigrants become legal and giving out food (a million pounds of food). Compassion is in the DNA of the Nazarene denomination going back to Phineas F. Bresee and in the DNA of the New Day congregation! They have started a daughter church and a community garden.

“What would you think is the role of compassion in the church?” Rev. Taylor asked us to consider.

Isaiah 58 is Rev. Taylor’s call and ministry passage:

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter - when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?” (Isaiah 58: 6-7)

His call is to shepherd the sheep that have no shepherd by helping them. Part of that discipleship is also to take care of his 10 grandchildren!

Acts 10:38 says, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good…” John 14:12 quotes Jesus saying, “whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these,”

Dr. Melvin Rigsby, a mentor to Rev. Taylor’s discipleship group, asked these 5 questions:

1. What am I doing here?

2. Where does God want to dwell now?

3. What’s in my hand? What can I do?

4. Who is in front of me? (daily opportunities like in Walmart)

5. What if everybody shared Jesus like I do?

Rev. Taylor is now convinced that… “We need to be building better disciples, not just bigger churches.”

Rev. Dale Taylor, Pastor of New Day Church of the Nazarene in Riverdale, GA

Published: 03/10/2022

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