50 Ministries for 50 Years
- Details
- Written by JoAnne D. Jones
As part of our 50th anniversary celebration, our church wanted to honor God by sharing His love with those around us in administering acts of kindness. We set as our goal: 50 ministries by the time of our 50th anniversary, hence the motto, “50 for 50.”
We began by continuing some of our existing events: Thanksgiving meals and Christmas gifts to families in need, Seniors’ luncheons, and regular visits to local nursing homes. Many of our ministries are for children in the community: the Easter egg hunt, Vacation Bible School, and summer water parties.
There were prayer walks, and sharing the good news of the Gospel in outreach, such as missions trips to Romania.
Sometimes we shared our blessings with others: food for local families and the Food Pantry, clothing for Burmese immigrants, supplies for New Hope Pregnancy Center, quilts and household items for families who lost their homes to fire, mittens for Romanian children, and care packages to servicemen.
Even the children and youth were involved: raising money for the children of Haiti, working at the Rescue Mission.
When the idea caught on, individuals began to act on opportunities they saw to lend a helping hand to whoever needed it: repairing a roof, fixing a car, replacing a floor. Others joined in to raise money for worthy causes: world hunger, cancer and autism research. Some used their skills in sewing, teaching, or music to help others.
We learned that there are countless little ways to show people that God truly cares about them. In the process, we too, were blessed by the outpouring of God’s love.
By the way, our total is 54 and rising!