Christmas Blessings from Forest Park Ministry Center

        Christmas greetings from all who minister and all who are ministered to through Forest Park Ministry Center!  We are eternally grateful for all of the supporters, donors, and prayer warriors whose gifts keep the ministry going.  No gift goes unnoticed, and God is using your prayers and your gifts in many ways to bring about life change in the hearts and minds of the guests who visit the center, and in our own lives as well.  We will be sharing some of those stories in this posting; read and rejoice in
God’s work!
        Recently, Fred had the opportunity to help a man of another faith.  He had not received help from his own and was ashamed to come to a Christian to ask for help.  The beauty of God’s grace flowing when he saw a Christian reaching out to him in his need will make an impact on him and could even lead him to see the truth in His Story.
        Jackie learned of a need that a grandmother had for her grandchildren.  Having temporary custody of the children, she struggled just to feed them.  As Christmas approached, they anticipated the release of the children’s parent from prison and had not signed up for Angel Tree assistance.  Having just learned that the release would be in January, this precious lady was distraught and thought there would be no gifts for the children.  Jackie motivated her church and prayer group to assist, and she, her husband, and her grandson had the joy of purchasing gifts for this family.
        What a grand way to show our own children the real meaning of Christmas! Whether it’s adopting a family in need, filling a shoebox for children in need around the world, or providing Christmas dinner for someone who is lonely, reach out this year, and your family reap the joy!
        It is truly a joy to work alongside each of you as we seek to reach our community with the true message of Christ’s love.  May each one of you experience Christ’s Love,
Peace, Joy, and Hope this Christmas and throughout the coming year.
Joyfully Serving,
Donna

SPECIAL DROP OFF DAY for TOY SALE!!

We will have a special drop off day at Heritage Baptist Church FRONT parking lot, ALL DAY -Monday December 5th from 6:30a.m.-7p.m. AND Tuesday, December 6th from 6:30-8a.m.( MORNING only) Thank you Faith Radio for partnering with us on this!  Toys will be loaded onto a truck to take to storage unit that day! Save some time and come that day to bring your toys!

Call for more information:
Donna McCullough  269-5726
Lisa Rose 271-6794

“Put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12

            That’s a tall order, and speaking for myself, I cannot do it alone.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit and the encouragement of like-minded believers, we can persevere even when it seems like we are running an endless race.  That was never so evident than last week when myriads of issues surrounding multiple guests mounted, compounded by deadlines for papers and presentations with my own graduate work.  Last Sunday, my mounting frustrations were confronted with the words of Jeff Iorg who spoke at the MBA Annual Meeting.  His exhortation to be the church empowered by the Holy Spirit was right on time and right on target for me personally, reminding me that God provides what is needed to both discern and to minister when and where He leads.
          In October, 36% of the guests who came to Forest Park Ministry Center had not visited before for assistance, and in addition to over 3,200 pounds of food, Goodwill gift certificates, layettes and other infant needs, utility assistance, and referrals to other ministries, they received care and prayer.  That says a lot about the continuing state of our economy and the physical and spiritual needs of our fellow Montgomerians.  We are thrilled to report that two guests of the center prayed to receive Christ.  It has been a real blessing to have Jennifer Foster, Minister to Children at Heritage, each Wednesday afternoon to serve as a volunteer chaplain for guests with special needs.  We look forward to future months when we will be able to offer Christian based counseling and chaplaincy to guests who have such deeper needs.
           As the first M&M Bible Study Café comes to a close in 2011, we look forward to resuming in January with a new study.  So far, J. and L., along with three mentors, have explored and studied how young women today – and in the Bible – are able to reach into God’s resources for discernment and good judgment to be the godly women that He designed them to be.  We discuss general life style, the influence of mothers and grandmothers, the absence of fathers, and even specifics like the 1,2,3’s of getting ready for church on Sunday morning with a baby!  Please pray for J. and L. and for A. who is finishing the New Mom’s class and hopes to join us for M&M’s in January.   We also are saying a big thank you to Madeline, one of the mentors and a faithful volunteer missionary, who is moving to Texas to be near her son and his family.  We will miss her!
           The holidays are approaching, and we are so excited about the 3rd Annual Ministry Center Toy Sale!  Please be in prayer for the 300 families who are invited to participate, and for the many volunteers who will be giving of their time and energies on December 10 and in the days leading up to it.  We are anticipating God’s Grace and Blessings to flow through this ministry on that day!!
Joyfully serving,
Donna McCullough, Director
Forest Park Ministry Center