When Jesus walked into the synagogue in His hometown of Nazareth, He stood up, unrolled the scroll of Isaiah, and declared His mission with bold clarity:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)
Can you imagine being in that room? The air must have been electric with anticipation and discomfort. Jesus wasn’t just reading Scripture—He was declaring His purpose, a purpose rooted in meeting real, tangible needs.
I’ve been reflecting a lot on how Jesus met people’s needs. He fed the hungry. He healed the sick. He listened to the outcasts. And He brought the hope of God’s kingdom to the hopeless. There wasn’t a single part of life—physical, emotional, or spiritual—that Jesus didn’t care about.
As followers of Jesus, we’re called to carry forward His mission. But if we’re honest, it’s easy to over-spiritualize the gospel or get overwhelmed by the magnitude of needs around us. Sometimes we think, “What can I really do? I’m just one person.”
The answer is simpler than we think: Start small, but start somewhere.
Meeting Needs, One Step at a Time
Last week, I heard a story about a missionary in a village where people had no access to clean water. This missionary didn’t just preach about Jesus; they built a well. As villagers filled their buckets with clean water, the missionary told them about the living water Jesus offers.
It wasn’t either/or—it was both. They met a physical need, and they shared the hope of the gospel.
So, what does this look like in our community?
Look for Needs Around You. Is there a single mom who could use a night off? A neighbor struggling to make ends meet? A co-worker feeling unseen? Pay attention to the small ways you can offer help.
Step Into the Gap. Don’t wait for someone else to act. Be the person who makes the phone call, drops off the meal, or simply sits and listens.
Share the Reason for Your Hope. As you meet needs, don’t be afraid to share why you care—because Jesus cared first.
Be Part of Something Bigger
At Horizon Church, we believe in meeting needs together. This month, we’re collecting food for local families, mentoring kids at Chiaramonte Elementary, and launching new ways to serve through our mission hub at Pinarama. These are all opportunities to step into Jesus’ mission right here in Tampa.
Jesus made it clear: His mission is our mission. Proclaim good news. Set people free. Meet needs. And don’t stop until everyone in our city knows the hope and love of God.
What need will you meet this week?
Let’s keep showing up, Church, because the mission of Jesus is alive in us.
Blessings,
Erica Allen