By Message Staff
MONROE – Rolling Hills Ministries has opened its new thrift store in Monroe, setting the stage for the store to be used as a tool to show Christ’s love to the people of northeast Louisiana.
The thrift store that serves also as a compassion center located at 5339 Desiard Street opened Jan. 2. Among the items sold inside the store are household items, clothing and furniture.
“Rolling Hills has seen God work through many ways to provide this step of faith,” said David Abernathy, executive director of Rolling Hills Ministries. “The ministry wants to add value to Monroe by serving those in need, and assure them that God loves them and desires to help them through the life situations that they are experiencing.”
The $1.8 million, 15,600 sq. ft. store is the fourth Rolling Hills Minisitries has opened. The other three are located in Arcadia, Bossier City and Ruston.
Like the other stores, the Monroe location accepts drop off items, and picks up donations such as furniture and other large items. Money made through the thrift store will support Rolling Hills Ministries’ compassion ministries such as the partnership with Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home starting in March.
Women in the community – including some who are residents of the Home Place family ministry at the Children’s Home – will have the opportunity to take courses at the center in the areas of computers, customer service and life skills. Currently, some of the Children’s Home adult female Home Place residents are employed at the store.
“We’re in an area I believe we can be a light to,” said John Cowling, director of ministries for Rolling Hills. “Not only through meeting the needs of the people with household items and clothes. We will make a difference through the relationships established by employees and volunteers with people who walk through the doors. Rolling Hills Ministries has a unique way of bringing people together.”
John Cowling, director of ministries for Rolling Hills Ministries, prepares to place an article of clothing into a bag for a customer at the thrift store in Monroe. Rolling Hills Ministries Facebook photo
In 2017, more than 700 people at its three thrift store locations received gift certificates to purchase items inside the thrift store, which opened the door for spiritual conversations.
“This does not include the number of employees and volunteers that sought spiritual encouragement or physical help,” Cowling said. “Like family, we carry each other’s burdens. Rolling Hills Ministries is committed to building relationships with volunteers, customers and those in need as the ministry strives to make a difference in people’s lives.”
The Monroe thrift store is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. For information about serving as a volunteer or donating items, call 318.381.8500 or 318.251.0065, or visit rollinghillsministries.com.
