Be the Church 2009

I have heard it all my life, but didn't always understand or believe it; It is more blessed to give than to receive. What? I would much rather receive something than give something away, or so I thought.

I have gone through a lot of changes in my life over the past two years, and it is due in large part, to joining and participating in the activities of the Faith, Praise and Worship Center in Norcross, Georgia. The Pastor, Vincent Campbell, has a strong heart for outreach, and First Lady Felicia Campbell is of the same heart. Outreach to the surrounding community is as important as breathing to this couple, and seems to come as naturally. Their compassion and love for people is contagious and has infected the congregation in a big way. They are told "Don't just go to church, BE the church."

On 8 August the word was out; On this Sunday we won't just go to church, we will BE the church. It started a few months earlier with an announcement to the congregation and the launching of a web site. The church had the goal of gathering and giving away 50,000 pounds of food to the people of the community. No need to join the church or give an offering or even be a Christian, you just have to be someone in need who is willing to come and be served.

With a few months to prepare, enough donations came in to give away 61,00 pounds of food. Rice and grits, canned goods like soups and vegetables, bottled drinks and baby foods were stacked to the ceiling inside the Youth Empowerment Zone. There was also a variety of cosmetics, diapers, baby wipes and even light bulbs. A few thousand loaves of bread, buns, English muffins, bagels and pastries were also donated to round everything out.

People started lining up as soon as daylight appeared and the line kept growing until the giveaway started at 10:00. The line stretched around the building and stayed that way throughout most of the day. Over a thousand families (3400 people) waited in the sun for hours and church members were busy filling and refilling water dispensers to avoid heat-related injuries.

After waiting in line, everyone was brought into the cool of the sanctuary where they were told about the church and our reasons for giving to the community. Prayer was offered to those who wanted it, and throughout the day over 200 people accepted the gift of salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Many also gave offerings to help the church to continue outreach. Afterward, the people lined up to go to the various stations carrying boxes and bags to collect the food.

I signed people in and helped giving ice water to those in line. I also spent a lot of time listening to people and answering their questions. The things people told me about hardships and being out of work for up to two years in some cases made me even more grateful for the church and the people in it and the support they have given me through my hard times.

The Faith, Praise and Worship Center's "Be The Church" day impacted many people in their physical world as well as in their spiritual world. I thank God for sending such a Pastor and First Lady to the town of Norcross. Their heart for the people of the community is something to be cherished.

More blessed to give than to receive? I believe it now! The blessings we partners received from giving on that day will last for a long, long time.

The church has helped me and my family get threw some really rough times. The church has provided for both me and my sister's family when times look real bad. I have been out of work due to surgery really appreciate what the church has done and continues to do. They are truly a blessing.

WOW! Simply amazing! Im so excited to be a part of Be The Church this year. This TRUELY is ministry!! So proud to be a new partner of this awesome church :-)