“What can I do to help?” Hearing that question is one of the greatest sources of joy and hope in church ministry. Year after year I’m amazed at how many folks ask that question. People of faith want to help make a difference in the world around them. In a time where we hear bad news daily about funding cuts to public education, housing and food insecurity, and the difficulties faced by the immigrant community, many of us wonder where to start. The beloved children’s television host Mr. Rogers once said his mother responded to scary news by telling him, ‘Look for the helpers.’ In 2024 First on Fifth’s Missions Committee sponsored the first annual Serve Together. The event blended missions education with hands-on service projects on site at the church house as well as in our local community. Kids, youth, and adults helped with projects that served local organizations like Ashely Academy, City with Dwellings, Crisis Control, and more. We also heard stories from missions partners and had plenty of time for table fellowship.
This coming Saturday our renovated Kelly Auditorium and Baraca Room will be transformed once again into a missions hub as part of our second annual Serve Together. Claudia Amaya, our Pastoral Intern, has taken leadership in planning this year and we expect another amazing day of missions and fellowship. On site projects for all ages include helping with Crisis Control food bags, Ashley Academy school supply prep, toiletry kits for Forsyth Jail & Prison Ministries, and encouragement cards with CareNotes. Off site projects (youth and adults) include serving with the food pantry at Una Bendicion and projects at PIVOT Ministry. We’ll conclude the event with a missions lunch featuring special guests from Amani Sasa, CBF Global Missions, Pivot Ministry, and Una Bendicion.
If you’re looking for a way to help, we hope to see you at Serve Together this Saturday.
Serving together,
Kyle
