Montgomery Christians Bring Dignity to Montgomery Residents

Because of your generous donations to our first annual Ministry Centers Toy Sale, almost 300 children were served through their parents shopping day this year. You made it happen! Toys, wrapping paper, volunteer hours and your financial gifts made it all possible. All in all, 31 SBC and 6 non-SBC churches participated through toy donations, volunteers, food and financial gifts. This does not include all the people around AL and the US that had been asked to pray for this day. We were thrilled at what happened and how so many people invested and prayed for this event.

There was such a sweet spirit on Saturday despite the rain and gloomy weather. Over 100 volunteers came with a cheery attitude ready to work! The mood was warm and loving that day. We all kept in mind 3 words...Love, Grace and Mercy-Love your neighbor, give grace to each other and show mercy as you help someone.

If you would like to see a glimpse of what happened, check out www.montgomeryadvertiser.com Click on “videos” under “multimedia” and click on “bringing dignity to Montgomery families. There are some photos available as well. There are photos also on the sidebar of this blog!


I’d like to share with you a few heartfelt experiences that happened this past weekend:


1. Susan (not real name)came with her head hung low because she was out of work. A volunteer found out about her situation and as they walked through the shopping area, she was able to minister to and encourage her. At the check out, another volunteer offered to pray for her. She challenged that young woman to truly believe what God could do for her in providing a job. The very next day Susan called me and told me her prayers had been answered. Through an unexpected contact, she was hired at a place that will not only pay the bills but also enhance her skills while she is being trained in a new career. She couldn’t believe that her prayers were answered so quickly. Susan was very grateful for the toy sale and the prayer support. Her life was changed that day.


2. Mary(not real name) was recently given custody of her 5 grandchildren. She also recently had a stroke and although recovered, she isn’t able to work anymore. She wasn’t sure how she was going to make it. A volunteer told her about the toy sale and she was able to get a friend to bring her. Shopping buddies helped her shop and just loved on her that day. She was prayed for in the café and told me as she was leaving that she felt encouraged…not just for that day, but also for doing what she has to do to take good care of her grandchildren.

Volunteers were touched as well. Several folks said that they had had a genuinely moving experience and hoped to be back next year. One woman confessed that at age 60+ this was her first time to volunteer. She was very moved and motivated to serve more after Saturday. Several families commented that their children were encouraged by their experiences to help others also. My hope is that families and individuals will continue this spirit all year round.

Please continue to remember outreach all year long in Montgomery through the ministry centers who organized this. The Montgomery Baptist Association directs two of those centers: Forest Park Ministry Center and Valley Park Center. Shepherds Staff and Community of Hope are our faithful partners. I hope that you will continue to support and pray for these centers as they work with many hurting families this next year. Montgomery needs you and your church to team up in responding to some very deep family needs.


Thank you and Happy New Year!
Lisa Rose, director, Church and Community Ministries, MBA

MBA Ministry Centers
Donna McCullough, Director, Forest Park Ministry Center, MBA
www.forestparkministry.blogspot.com
Leatha Sturgeon, director, Valley Park Ministry Center, MBA
www.valleyparkministry.blogspot.com


Our Partners
Lou Ann Raughton, Director, Community of Hope, Inc.
www.community-of-hope.org
Tracee Phaturos, Volunteers director, Shepherd's Staff
www.shepherdsstaffministries.org