These local faith ministries are helping those in need: Here's how
A Vestal church has a unique ministry to reach people. The last Saturday of the month from 1-4 p.m., they’re set up in the parking lot outside the former Cinema Saver in Endicott.
“We offer free hot dogs, have live music, free clothing and food, offer people prayer, and also present the good news of Jesus Christ.” said pastor David Campbell Jr.
Their outreach began not long after the church opened on on Easter Sunday of 2021.
Though the church, The Father's Heart, is on Powderhouse Road, Campbell said they feel called to help in the neighborhood just off Washington Avenue.
“We believe that God has purpose and destiny for every person. I also understand that many people today are suffering from either mental illness or addiction or many times both, and believe that knowing Jesus Christ personally is the only hope that can be found in this world,“ he said.
Campbell notes the efforts of one member, Courtney Arnold, whose ministry goes well beyond one Saturday a month.
“Every time we run across someone who is in need I often reach out to her as she has access to many resources that have benefited many who are simply broken and lost,” Campbell said.
Arnold, who works in health care, uses much of her off time with a ministry called Roses of Hope. She moved back to the area about four years ago. She does a lot of driving around to find those in need.
“I prayed when I came up here, I didn't really have any connections. I didn't really have much money, so I would start by just making peanut butter and fluff sandwiches and buying dollar store Bibles myself and going out,” she said.
With the cold weather coming on, Arnold is concerned for homeless people she met last year.
“There would be people with no shoes on, no hat, no gloves, no coats, no shoes,” she said.
“They need help with trying to move them forward positively, keep them out of the streets, keep them out of drugs.” Arnold said.
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Her inspiration comes in part from her grandmother, who encouraged her as a young person to take part in the CHOW walk and to help people out. Arnold said her grandmother, now 96, has a question for her whenever she visits.
“How are you doing with feeding the needy?” she said, “That's the first thing every time I see her at the nursing home.”
Arnold said she tries to connect with many churches and groups. She looks to distribute 2,000 pounds of food each week.
She notes the Wednesday meal at First Presbyterian Church on Main Street in Johnson City, each Wednesday at 5 p.m. Clothing and bags of food are provided to those who visit.
There’s also a once-a-month effort by the Hellfighters motorcycle ministry at Danny’s Diner on Main Street in Binghamton. It’s the third Saturday from 4-6 p.m. They use a renovated school bus there filled with clothing and food. Arnold said the group also sometimes helps her as she visits the homeless.
Arnold said she also connects with Living Water Baptist Church in Owego.
An important part of what Arnold does centers around prayer.
“I pray for them where they can hear me and you know, usually in that while I'm praying. They're they're getting touched by the Lord," she said. ”It's actually letting them feel the love of the Lord through us.”
“It's amazing, like why the Lord would want to use me, I have no idea,” Arnold added, “but if we're willing to, (he) can use anybody.”
More information
The Father’s Heart Church: church@thefathersheart.online
Roses of Love: callonjesusandbesaved@gmail.com
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Binghamton-area faith ministry effort reaches out to those in need
