Sunday after Sunday, churches around Indianapolis preach the Gospel, but many are going beyond their four walls and pouring into the lives of people in surrounding communities.
“When Jesus was on Earth, he was constantly meeting the needs of people, so I think as the body of Christ, who represents Christ, it’s imperative we do the same. Jesus came to serve and not to be served. Any time you can follow the model Jesus Christ set for us, you are definitely headed in the right direction,” said Pastor Tony McGee of Zion Hope Baptist Church.
Zion Hope members certainly practice what they preach by having various programs year round such as the annual Community Day that provides free health screenings; haircuts and wash-and-sets for kids going back to school; games and prizes; and community resource vendors to about 1,500 children and adults.
They also have a large clothing and food pantry in which they service over 400 families every year. This year, they’ve expanded their food-giving efforts by being a service site for the Mozel Sanders Thanksgiving Dinner.
Each New Year’s Eve, Zion Hope partners with CRU (formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ) and goes into the community to distribute boxes of food, pray with those they are meeting and win them to Christ.
There are also efforts such as parent workshops and gospel concerts where all are invited.
Zion Hope also provides fun activities such as married couples hayrides, Easter egg hunts, open mic night and Truth-and-Treat, a positive alternative to Halloween. You can even view the Colts game at the church!
In addition to service efforts, McGee said Zion Hope’s mission is to advance the kingdom of God through effective evangelism and discipleship. He encourages his congregants to consistently study God’s word and share it with those they serve.
Pastor James Jackson said his church, Fervent Prayer Church, has various ways members can serve, such as the media and technology ministry or the Intercessory prayer ministry, but they too have gotten involved with their mixed demographic, low income Eastside community in a real way.
Pastor Jackson is the president of the Far Eastside Action Coalition that consists of a group of community stakeholders that have come together to help prevent crime and improve the quality of life in the community.
In that mission to improve the Eastside, they make sure to give summer job opportunities to youth through the Clean for Green program where youth clean up trash and debris in the neighborhood.
Fervent Prayer Church also has a Christian school and day care they consider part of their outreach.
“People tell us all the time ‘keep doing what you’re doing’ especially when it involves youth,” said Jackson. “We’re focusing on what God has called us to do in our community.”
At Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, where James Johnson serves as pastor, their men’s ministry hosts weekly meetings to help uplift men through Biblical teaching and open discussion and focusing on becoming better Christians, fathers and husbands.
The women’s ministry partners with the Julian Center to provide food, toiletries and clothing to the women and children there and also does service work at Gleaners food bank.
Johnson said the church also sponsors a back to school drive and has a clothing giveaway for local, low-income residents.
When times get hard, many people look to the church to help. Church members and people who live near churches are encouraged to continue to give time, resources and/or money to help local churches continue to give.
Pastor Johnson also reminds people that it doesn’t take a church program to give – if you know someone who is in need, do it.
“If you know someone down the street needs food, send them a plate. We help at all hours of the day and night,” said Pastor Johnson. “When they’re there, tell them about Christ. We train our members to witness to families and be well spoken for Christ.”
