Mission Centre Offers Free Christmas Gifts to Low-Income Families
By Church News
The Grand Oak Mission Centre in the United States offered a free “Christmas store” to their low-income neighbours that participate in the activities of the ministry centre.
David Jackson, Grand Oak Mission director, said they set aside usable gifts, that people donate and people may “shop” for items for their family members. He said it is a blessing to the community, and they can choose up to three gifts for each of their family members who are registered with the centre.
Director of Missions for Green County Baptist Association, Josh Hall, said the centre provides food, clothing and hygiene items to those in need all year round. But at Christmas time they have this store where the neighbours can shop free of charge.
Jackson said the centre is in an older part of the town, but their ministry extends to all of Greene County. They do not distribute furniture or appliances, but they try to have the things people need to get by.
He said the gifts in the store are refurbished and cleaned up before being stocked in the store.
Jackson and the centre volunteers consider this ministry to be vital to their community.
He said these gifts are tools to help them begin a relationship with their neighbours. About 60–100 families are helped each year with the Christmas store.
Jackson reported that about 15 people make professions of faith throughout the year at Grand Oak Mission. They begin each day with a prayer for the people that they serve.
Like many communities, there are problems with drug abuse, poverty and lack of sufficient housing, and they try to be a lighthouse for Jesus in neighbourhoods where some people just don’t have enough money to get by each week.
They have 35 food and hygiene items they can give out if a person is registered for their assistance.