JUNE 2009 UPDATE OF MINISTRIES

June has been another eye-opening month seeing what incredible needs exist among the citizens of Montgomery. We have had the opportunity to minister to those who have experienced loss of employment, food and belongings due to floods, fire, and theft, and continue to see God working in the hearts and minds of His people. This month, Heritage Baptist Church and Temple Mount Christian Center joined together to sponsor a “Ready to Read” event for families in the Forest Park neighborhood. In spite of inclement weather prior to and following the event, God cleared the skies for a great afternoon of sharing Christ through reading, drama, crafts, and just plain fun. An additional thanks to the youth of Thorington Road Baptist Church who prayerwalked, passed out flyers, and assisted during the event. We look forward to their sponsoring Forest Park’s Backyard Bible Club in July. Here are the June ministry statistics: 140 guests served at the center 338 family members represented 40 new families assisted who had not received assistance before 3,750 pounds of food distributed to families in need Best of all – 8 new sisters and brothers in Christ!!! Plan to join us at McGehee Road Baptist Church on Saturday, July 11, for “Transforming Your Community”. Let’s learn how to more effectively reach into the neighborhoods around Montgomery as Christ’s hands and feet!

Ready to Read - June 28, 2009

The first Ready to Read was presented to the neighborhood at Forest Park Ministry Center on Sunday afternoon, June 28, 2009, thanks to the immense efforts of Heritage Baptist Church, Temple Mount Christian Center, and all of the volunteers from both churches and from Thorington Road Baptist Church, too. The skies cleared just in time for it to begin, and the rain began to pour just after it was completed. Now, does God have perfect timing or what? Children and their parents were treated to various readings, fun crafts, many resource materials, and a phenomenal dramatization of "The Tale of Three Trees". What a great way to share Jesus! A very special thank you to Jennifer Foster, children's minister at Heritage; Bruce and Edith McDonald, pastor and evangelist at Temple Mount, Carol Heier, drama director at Heritage; and all of you hard working volunteers. It was a great day, and God is so good. The slide show here shows you just a glimpse of the afternoon.

New Opportunities for Ministry at Forest Park

It's incredible that summer is almost here - can you believe it? It seems just yesterday that I began this marvelous journey of ministry to the precious souls who have such dire needs and seek help through Forest Park Ministry Center. I am so thankful to those prayer warriors and faithful Christians who had the heart and the foresight to establish this ministry center, and to all of you who continually support the ministry in so many ways including prayer support. Listed below you will see how God continues to work as we reach out to Montgomerians in need. I have also listed new opportunities for ministry this summer. Your prayers and your support will be much appreciated; we are leaning on God's provision for resources for these ministries. Update from Forest Park Ministry Center – May 2009 >96 families served, for a total of 251 family members served (a great number, considering that one holiday and one other closing due to family emergency occurred on days which would be service days otherwise). >3 new Christians – it is always such a glorious day when we have new sisters and brothers in Christ! >2,621+ pounds of food distributed to families in need. >We have had the opportunity to assist a precious woman who lost her home and her belongings in the May 7 flash flood. She had several feet of water in her home, and it ruined essentially everything. With the aftermath of the flood and the ongoing economic crisis, I feel that we will see more and more dire needs. This month alone, over 35% of the guests who visited Forest Park Ministry Center for assistance were seeking help for the very first time because of their economic woes. Please pray for all of those who have lost jobs, homes, and their way of life, and for the volunteers at Forest Park as we seek to reach out to these with God’s love and His provision. >Welcome to Jenna Brendle, ministry intern for Forest Park Ministry Center, Valley Park Ministry Center, and Community of Hope! >We look forward to “We Love Montgomery: Ready to Read”, an event cosponsored by Heritage Baptist Church, Temple Mount at Forest Park, and Forest Park Ministry Center, coming Sunday, June 28, at 3:00 in the afternoon; >And – Backyard Bible Club at Forest Park Ministry Center, July 24 – 31; >And – Transforming Your Community Conference, July 11, 2009. Make plans to attend; call the MBA for details.