Thank you, MBA Churches and ALL Others!!!

Wow, did God orchestrate a beautiful "symphony" of cooperation, enabling His Spirit to work through volunteers and guests at the first annual Ministry Centers Toy Sale this month! With the guests who shopped the sale and the families who were served afterward, at least 150 families were helped with Christmas gifts for their children. Thank you, everyone, for your enthusiastic support and generous hearts! Here are some great things that happened:

Parents who came to the sale were moved to tears to be able to shop themselves for their children's gifts at prices that were so nominal. All expressed appreciation for the opportunity. Many also were determined to give back to the ministry, so when their total purchase was, say $6.00, but they had budgeted $10, they gave the ten, asking that it be used to bless someone else. Now that is a special bonus - to give others the dignity of giving back. I personally was moved to tears myself over that. And rest assured, the money that was given goes directly back into the benevolence fund for the ministry to assist families.

One mother had been struggling with a job and school, having lost her more stable job due to the economy. She had returned to school with financial aid in order to learn a new skill for a better job. But then she lost her job again, this time due to scheduling conflicts between school, work, and children. So a volunteer prayed with her on Saturday that God, who sees her need already, would show her an opportunity for a job - she was needing one so badly! And the very next day, a job offer came literally to her door, not only a better job than she had before, but working around her school hours and in the field that she is training. What a tangible evidence of God's providence!

Back at the center, one of our volunteers was talking with and praying with a young man about his unemployment. They prayed for God to open a door of opportunity - he wanted to work so badly - and before he left the center, he made a phone call to a business where he had applied; he was told to report the next morning to the job site! Talk about immediate answers to prayer!

It is sheer joy to be able to participate in God's work through Forest Park Ministry Center. Yes, there are days when we weep, and there are days when we rejoice, but always God is sovereign and in control. Here are statistics that may interest you for the year 2009: over 1,500 guests visited the center(representing over 6,180 familiy members), nearly 36% of whom had not visited before. This points to the severity of the economy this past year and how it has touched the lives of those who had not experienced poverty before. During 2009, 36 people were led to Christ during their visit to the ministry center; food for life, not just for the tummy! And over 38,870 pounds of food were distributed in addition to fifty complete Thanksgiving meals and over 200 sack lunches during the summer. In addition, Reading4Character is ongoing in three Montgomery Title I schools, the apartment ministry is on board to begin in 2010 (we still need volunteers!!!!), and ministry to the Mixteco population in Montgomery is growing both at Forest Park Ministry Center and in several MBA churches and other ministries. God is soooo good.

I pray that each one who reads this will experience God's presence, His peace, and His power this Christmas and always.

Love in Him who is able to do exceedingly more than we can ask or imagine,
Donna McCullough, Director
Forest Park Ministry Center

EXCITED ABOUT GOD MOVING IN MTGY!!!

As the autumn months progress with such a tapestry of color and beauty, I am reminded of how God continues to move through our lives. There is so much to be done - but our God is so BIG He can do all this and more than we can ever imagine or comprehend! So it is with great excitement and anticipation that I await His direction for ministry and join His movement -won't you join us? At Forest Park Ministry Center, we are continuing to share His love and grace to those in need - this past month, we distributed over a ton and a half of food, lot of baby supplies, two hundred gift certificates to shop for clothing, and most of all, ministered to over 130 families with the love of Christ, sharing His good news with them and praying with them! That is always a fulfilling privilege - to sit knee to knee with others in prayer together; I am always reminded of the sacrifice of Jesus that enables us to come into His presence in prayer.

As December approaches we are anticipating a very special opportunity to reach others in Christ's name. We still need volunteers for assisting parents who will be coming to shop for their children's Christmas. We have identified 120 families from the four ministries involved who will be coming to shop. This will be an incredible time to give them the dignity of shopping for their own children's gifts, for sharing Christ with them, and for experiencing the true spirit of Christmas - giving Christ's love. See the posting below for details of how you can be a part. God Bless you all!

Ministry Centers First Annual Toy Sale

Saturday, December 12, 2009 in Heritage FLC

We are embarking on a new endeavor in our ministry centers. Our first annual Ministry Center Toy Sale is scheduled for Saturday, December 12th. A minimal fee will be charged so that parents from our centers will have the dignity of buying their kids Christmas gifts. The prices will range from 10 cents to 5 dollars for the bigger items. Families who come to our centers will be invited to participate.

We need YOUR HELP in providing NEW (and USED toys IN VERY GOOD CONDITION )for ages infant to 16 years. ALL MONIES RECEIVED FROM THE TOY SALE WILL GO BACK INTO THE MINISTRY CENTERS’ BENEVOLENCE FUNDS FOR FOOD AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE given to families served.



WAYS YOU CAN HELP THE TOY SALE!

1.Monetary donations will be accepted, as well as gifts. Make checks payable to: MBA Church and Community
Ministries Toy Sale, 20 Interstate Park Drive, Montgomery, AL 36109.
2. We will need volunteers the day before the sale to help sort and organize toys.
3. Volunteers will be needed on Saturday to assist our guests as they shop.
4. Baked goods will be served at a “café” for parents who come and shop. Homemade goods would be greatly
appreciated.
5. We need Christmas wrappers. If you are good at wrapping gifts, come and bring some Christmas wrap, bows
and tape to wrap presents for parents.
6. Be a “pray-er” or “sharer” at the Toy Sale with parents.

Call Lisa Rose for more details at 334-271-6794 or email her at
lrose@mgmbaptist.org.

A joint effort of Forest Park Ministry Center, Valley Park Ministry Center, Community of Hope and Shepherd’s Staff Ministry
We will need to receive donations no later than Wednesday, December 9th. Call for instructions on where they will be gathered.

Ministry Centers

Babies(0-12 mo)
Blankets//Crib Sheets
Sleepers/clothes/bibs
Diapers (all sizes)
Bottles
Rattles/key rings
Activity Centers
Mobiles
Car Seat Toys
Crib toys

Toddlers(1-3 yrs)
Large trucks
Stuffed animals
Books
Baby dolls (all cultures)
Fisher Price toys
Building blocks
Riding toys
See-N-Say
Educational games
Musical Instruments
Kid Christian CD’s
CD Players

Preschoolers(4-5 yrs)
Board games
Books
Educational toys
Barbie
Lincoln Logs
K-nex
Legos
Stuffed animals
Plastic tool sets
Balls
Art Supplies
Musical instruments
Bikes/Tri Cycles
Kid Christian CD’s
CD Players
TOY SALE

Grades 1-3
Barbie Dolls (all cultures)
Action Figures
Star Wars Figures
Board Games
Educational Games
Books
K-Nex
Legos
Crayons/Coloring books

Grades 4-6
Remote Control Vehicles
Sports Equipment/balls
Frisbees
K-Nex
Legos
Sports Jerseys/T-shirts
(AL, AU, Troy, ASU, Biscuits)
Jewelry
CD Boom Box
Christian CD’s
I-pods
Cameras
Chapter Books
Board Games
Gift Cards

Teenagers
CD players/I-pods
Christian CD’s
Sports Equipment/Balls
Sports T-shirts/Jerseys
(Pro teams, AL, AU, ASU, Troy)
Squishy Pillows
Bedding for teens
Purses/Belts
Jewelry
Purses
Gift Baskets (lotion etc)
Books/ Bibles for teens
Gift Cards
Posters
Suggestions
Personal Items That Are Always Needed
Winter Caps/gloves/scarves
Socks
Underwear (new only)
Blankets and bedding
Shampoo
Soap/Bubble Bath/Body Wash
Toothbrushes/toothpaste
Deodorant
Hairspray

Miscellaneous Items
Batteries of all sizes
Wrapping Paper/Gift bags
Ribbon/Tape/Tags
Ornaments
Baked goods/Parent Gift bags
Small teas/coffees/Parent Gifts
**********************
NOTES:
1. PLEASE make sure to get as much NEW as possible. IF you have used toys with all the parts, we will sell them on a hodge-podge table away from the new items.
2. Please take into consideration that we will have families of ALL cultures participating. Dolls and action figures need to be multi- cultural.

Thank you so much for helping with this project! God is going to bless the families this year because of your generosity. Pray that each toy you buy will be an opportunity to share God’s love with others.