Lazarus Restoration Ministries celebrates 20 years of serving the Gainesville community
A faith-based community outreach ministry reached a milestone this year by continuing to let love raise and restore those in need.
Lazarus Restoration Ministries Inc. hosted its Show the Love 20th Birthday Worship Service of Thanksgiving and Fellowship Reception at Greater Faith Baptist Fellowship at 1029 NE Ninth St. on Sunday.
LRM is a 501 c3 faith-based community outreach program that began in 2002 to provide clothing, food, housing referrals, and assistance to homeless and indigent people in the community.
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The LRM Life Center is located at 1201 E. University Ave. in Suite D, and according to its website at lazarusrmi.org, it is open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“We thank you all for coming out and supporting Lazarus Restoration Ministries,” said LRM co-founder James Nelson.
His wife and co-founder, Wanda Nelson, said it is gratifying that LRM has been able to serve the community for 20 years.
“Words can’t express the love we have for each of you,” she said. “That’s what God recognizes, when you do it for God’s love. Live a life that is living for God.”
Willie Ross Sr. is one of LRM's spiritual advisors and pastor of The House the Lord Built Holy Temple of God in Palatka.
”We are here because of the love you give,” said Ross, who presided over the event.
Three students from the the Eastside High School Gospel Choir performed songs and hymns throughout the service. Leola Williams of Johnson Chapel Baptist gave the opening prayer thanking God for life.
“We come to say thank you,” Williams said. “Thank you for life, health and strength. Thank you for your grace and mercy that kept us here. You told us to love one another the way you loved us.”
P.J. Ross, wife to Willie Ross Sr. and the LRM assistant financial trustee, welcomed those in attendance.
“It is truly a blessing and an honor to be here tonight,” she said. “We welcome you once, we welcome you twice, and we welcome you with the love of Jesus Christ.”
Desmon Duncan-Walker, who represents District 1 on the Gainesville City Commission, greeted those in attendance with a few kind words about the ministry.
“Lazarus Restoration Ministries is dedicated to the lives and work of reaching out to the underserved communities and lifting up those who need it most,” Duncan-Walker said. “I've watched your work and will continue to support you because you are doing the work God called you to do. I’m not only coming to you as a commissioner but I am greeting you with love and as a supportive sister in Christ who believes in what you do.”
The Rev. Marcia Mobley, pastor of Heaven Bound Outreach Ministries in Alachua, was the guest speaker. Mobley, also a LRM spiritual advisor, spoke on the theme of "Useless without Love," and cited scripture from I Corinthians 13:1-13..
“He that loveth not, does not know God,” Mobley said. “Know that you are doing it because it is the will of God. When you do it, make sure it’s from a pure heart.”
Mobley continued talking about love.
“Love is patient, love is kind,” Mobley said. “It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. Love is not arrogant. It is not rude. Arrogance is an exaggerated sense of one’s own ability.”
Mobley said it is important that people have love as the focal point of their actions.
“Whatever we do, it has to go through love,” Mobley said. “We have to make sure we exhibit what God requires of us to do. Be the light on the top of the hill.”
The ultimate love is sacrifice, and Jesus displayed that kind of love when he sacrificed his life for the sins of man, Mobley said..
“There’s no greater love than laying your life for a friend,” Mobley said. “Jesus dying for our sins — that’s love. He died for me and he died for you. He then got up with his resurrection power.”
The Rev. Gilford Carter of New Shiloh Baptist Church in Alachua delivered the closing prayer by reading Hebrews 6:10, which reads "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them."
He then urged the ministry to continue doing the work of God.
“To Lazarus Restoration Ministries, be encouraged and keep on keeping on in His name,” Carter said.
For more information about LRM, call 352-213-8970 or email lazarusrmi@yahoo.com.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Lazarus Restoration Ministries grateful for its service to Gainesville
