One of WastedEvangelism’s “In Action” highlights puts into practice the multiplying effect of biblical social action: Joseph’s Storehouse, a non-profit food bank co-op ministry in South Florida, provides a ministry to families and individuals who face food scarcity and through its food development resources also provides area food pantries with pounds and pounds and pounds of food. Here’s their Facebook post from this morning and the picture they shared.
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Our congregation is a community church set within The Hill section of New Haven, Connecticut. Last Saturday my wife and I joined The Hill's annual reunion gathering, for a day of music, Hill fellowship, highlighting local entrepreneurs, and community strengthening. Our CPC in The Hill church (booth) spot shared space with another non-profit ministry that exemplified Wasted Evangelism in Action. Olivia Davis harnessed her traumatic life experiences, relied on her faith, and created a non-profit that seeks to help women who have had similar experiences: Women in Recovery Education, or W.I.R.E.--mostly from her own pocket (and a small grant from a local community foundation). Why W.I.R.E.? To lead, to show the way, to direct. W.I.R.E. began in 2006 with one woman's search for help. She had experienced many traumatic situations as a child, a young woman, and even as an adult. Her spiritual up-bringing kept her strong and searching a way to recovery for herself--and then for other women facing similar trauma. "We must find ourselves, our talents and develop them to its fulness. In addition, use it to help others and us." Women and girls in distress need help to impact their immediate problem, assistance effective enough to make a real difference in their lives. They must be provided with information that is useful and understood. In addition, they need a foundation to stand on. As a child, Olivia experienced many traumatic situations that continued into adulthood. She found that she was always struggling to move on. It was her spiritual background that kept her motivated, strong, and eager to learn. She learned about gender specific support groups, but also discovered many existing gaps in services for women. She realized that the information provided for many women was valuable, but was sometimes also used against them. As a drug counselor intern herself for those in the recovery process, she fought for and facilitated support groups for women. The hope of W.I.R.E. is to strengthen the well-being of individual's struggling with depression and begin to help them build the character to sustain their continued healing and personal growth. W.I.R.E. provides education and emotional support to women. The mission of WIRE is to combat social decline and delinquency among women and girls who have been afflicted by a traumatic situation, and the stigma that is associated with it. Olivia's vision for W.I.R.E is to energize the attitudes of distress women with needed information and resources, compassionate understanding, and positive direction so they have hope to improve their quality of life. Along with workshops and presentations, Olivia also provides:
*Some of this material has been adapted from the WIRE Facebook page and brochure Nearly 1 in every 7 people on this planet is without potable (clean and useable) water to drink, bath, and cook. Now please understand, this is not 1 in 7 that you see. The people you see everyday are not the seven. When you and I see 7 people, all most likely have access to water. Yet, there are close to a billion people, everyday, who do not—so if you go to places like Haiti, the Philippines, Malawi, Liberia, Uganda, and, right now, Nepal, you will see, not 1 in 7, but 7 (and more), who everyday do not have clean water to meet their bathing, drinking, and cooking needs. Agencies like Water Missions International bring water and supply the means to sustain the resource (i.e., the technology, resources, equipment, expertise, and training) to places and communities that are without water. This is a global crisis. One billion people wake up everyday without safe drinking water. Children are sick and weak, which leads to disease and death. There is a constant struggle to find the most basic of human needs. The lack of safe water and adequate sanitation worldwide is a crisis. This crisis steals the lives of 5,500 people each day—more than war, natural disasters, AIDS or hunger. The lack of water is the chief reason for the death of our children worldwide. Water Missions International is a truly a Wasted Evangelism ministry in action, taking a comprehensive approach to combating the crisis and, as a result, are transforming communities and changing lives every day. They are helping to solve the global water crisis community by community. Water Missions International does not simply place a water system in a community and leave. Their skill engineers and staff design and customize sustainable safe water and sanitation solutions to meet the needs of individual communities. They partner with the recipient community throughout the process of implementing and developing a project. Staff monitor and evaluate the project and follow-up with the community to ensure the projects sustainability and success. As a result of the devastating earthquakes and its aftershocks, Water Missions International is currently responding to meet the urgent need for safe water in Nepal, literally at the top of the world. According to the Nepal WASH cluster, over 4.2 million people suffer from inadequate food and water supplies, and the threat of cholera grows each day as a result of unsanitary living conditions. Staff are working in collaboration with partners to respond to the urgent need for safe water as a result of the devastation. Water treatment equipment, including 10 Living Water™ Treatment Systems and up to 20 chlorination devices, was sent to Nepal. Water Missions International staff have been on the ground and have implemented safe water in 10 communities, giving access to 11,197 people. You can support this effort in Nepal, as well as a number of water projects around the globe. *Much of this material is adapted from Water Missions International's website.
Amy is a 20-year youth ministry veteran, who passionately ministers to teens involved in gangs, youth on probation or parole, and those lost in the juvenile justice system. Her core strategy is life-on-life mentoring. As a certified Gang Intervention Specialist, she move into Chicago’s Humboldt Park community to be a “Hope Dealer” to young men involved in gangs or youth affected by gang culture. Amy is a National Trainer for Youth Specialties and, as well, has been a speaker for Christian Community Development Association (CCDA), Devos Urban Leadership Initiative, Mission Year, and the Urban Youth Workers Institute. She is available as a speaker, workshop facilitator, or an Emcee for youth events. I have had the privilege of hearing Amy speak on more than one occasion and found her to be insightful and very motivating. She is a great example of Wasted Evangelism in action. Amy Williams is A Hope Dealer. Connect with her through her website, schedule her as a speaker or emcee. Youth Advocate. Speaker. Trainer. Mentor. Author . . . Christ Lover.Living Bread Ministries intentionally seeks to plant churches in global neighborhoods surrounded by poverty. Here is the mission and purpose in their own words: Living Bread Ministries is leading a comprehensive church planting movement among the global poor. Living Bread Ministries cares about “justice, so issues like hunger, education, and human trafficking” are important priorities for them. As a result, this organization intentionally works toward “comprehensive church planting among the global poor.” They believe empowering local communities in the midst of planting churches is “the best way to impact most social issues for the long term.” See a great example in their work in Thailand. [Click for link] Living Bread Ministries has ramped up its website. Check it out . . . livingbread.org. Follow them on twitter @Living_Bread. Consider giving to their “The Difference $10 can make” program. “Investing $10 can help a local church feed a hungry family in their community.” [Click for link] Joseph’s Storehouse needs Air Conditioning for its expanded warehouse. In America 40% of our food supply goes to waste. Joseph’s Storehouse seeks to remedy this and help our neighbors to alleviate their own food scarcity. Joseph's Storehouse is a non-profit food bank and co-op established in South Florida to supply food pantries and, as well, low-income single parents, individuals and families. The Storehouse has also donated over 37,000 pounds of food (over 18 tons!) in June alone to area food pantries, churches, and soup kitchens that do not have adequate resources or limited funding for their own food supplies. To date in 2015, they have been able to give away 84 tons of good, healthy food. Joseph’s Storehouse is able to support limited hours of operations from a minimum admin fee we collect, as well as, from small donations from our supporters. Our first space was originally 1,800 sq. ft., out-growing it in about 8 months. The present warehouse where our families, individuals, and feeding programs shop in has, now, doubled to about 3,600 sq. ft. In order to cool the larger facility for both the food and our shoppers, Joseph’s Storehouse requires the purchase and installation of least 2 four-ton condensers and air handlers. We are currently utilizing a used 4 ton condenser that was donated and we bought the matching air handler. Though thankful for this unit, it is insufficient to cool our current space here in South Florida. The cost of the new units is $9,800. Along with some current support on hand, we are seeking the remaining $7,900 to complete the project. Prayerfully and joyfully please consider giving to support our community efforts. And, if you are in the area, come see us if you haven't already! (See Joseph's Storehouse Facebook page.) Consider giving to Joseph's Storehouse air conditioner GoFundMe project |
Wasted Evangelism In Action BlogEvents, moments, organizations, and other items that demonstrate the concept of Wasted Evangelism. The goal here is to connect you to Wasted Evangelism in Action. Archives
February 2018
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