Shout out to Randy, Linda & the Mtula family!

Although the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a beautiful, resource-rich country, decades of political violence has made it one of the poorest and most dangerous nations in the world. Sadly, millions of Congolese people have been displaced from their homes.

The Mtula family (pictured) are among hundreds of Congolese refugees who have left their homeland behind to start over right here in Madison, Wisconsin.

Even though the Mtulas found housing through Jewish social services, they were still struggling to rebuild their lives in their strange, confusing, (not to mention cold!), new city. That began to change once they found themselves at the Northside Madison Campus of Door Creek Church.

Very quickly, DCC attenders rallied around them. In particular, Randy and Linda Jones became honorary grandparents to the Mtula girls. Randy says, "we supported them in different ways, such as driving them to church and helping them get to know their new home through trips to malls, the zoo, the capital or the Christmas lights." 

But don't think the benefits were all one-sided! Randy says, "serving with them has brought the most unexpected and amazing blessings."

Did you know hospitals are a Christian innovation?

Here's something to bring up next time someone doesn't know what good Christianity could possibly bring to society…remind them that if they like the idea of a special building where people dedicate themselves to caring for the sick and dying, they can thank Christians for that.

While there is a smattering of evidence of healthcare buildings in ancient India and Greece, these were mostly places for mystic pagan healing rituals, or wealthy people. It used to be that there was a colossal void in the world when it came to caring for the sick, especially if they were poor.

However, that all changed as the teaching of Jesus began to spread in the third century.

Ancient historian Dionysius (AD 250) described what Romans (who saw sickness as a sign of weakness) did when the Alexandrian plague ravaged communities. 

"At the first onset of the disease, they pushed the sufferers away and fled from their dearest, throwing them into the roads before they were dead and treating unburied corpses as dirt… "

Christians, however, were different. 

"Most of our brother Christians showed unbounded love and loyalty, never sparing themselves and thinking only of one another. Heedless of danger, they took charge of the sick, attending to their every need and ministering to them in Christ."

This makes sense. 

After all, Jesus didn't just come preaching to save souls, He came healing bodies (see Mark 1:34). Early Christians followed suit (Acts 3:6). In fact, the agenda of the world's first church council (Nicea, AD 325) shows that a hospital building was a top priority.

The world's first true hospital was built in AD 369 in Cappadocia. From there, Christians built in Rome and throughout Europe. By the mid-1500s, they were everywhere.

In England, hospitals were known as “God’s House.” In Germany, they were known as “Domus Sancti Spiritus” or “House of the Holy Spirit.”

So, if you've ever wondered why so many hospitals are named after saints or churches (St. Mary’s, St. Luke's, Methodist, etc…), now you know!

April 27 | Blended & Blessed – REGISTER

April 28 | Gifted to Serve | Jamie (SRC), Ryan (DF), David (NSM)

May 1-4 | Love This City – SIGN UP

May 5 | Giving of Ourselves in Community | Steve

May 12 | Of Prayers | Ryan (SRC), David (NSM)

May 19 | Our Church's Finances | Jamie

After this, we'll switch Devoted to a fun, monthly summer format.