By Margaret Tarpley, Special to the Message
[img_assist|nid=8094|title=Food collection|desc=First Baptist Church in Tullos recently held a community giveaway of donated household items, tools, shoes, clothing, toys, etc. More than 30 local families were assisted in the ministry event, according to church member Joan Martin. “God has given us so much,” Martin said. “We enjoy helping others.”|link=none|align=right|width=480|height=640]TULLOS – Over the last few months, the congregation of First Baptist Church in Tullos has performed quite a line-up of service to the community.
The congregation’s latest outreach was on March 24 when there were donations given out of household items, shoes, clothing, tools, toys and other items.
More than 30 families were assisted through the ministry’s giveaway day.
“Tullos First Baptist reaches out to the community with compassion for those in need,” church member Joan Martin said. “The response was overwhelming [on March 24]. Around seventy women and men attended the function.”
Martin said during Christmas, the church and the surrounding community donated money to purchase Christmas gifts for children in the community.
“One boy was asked what he wanted for Christmas and his response was ‘a pair of tennis shoes’,” Martin said. “That really touched our hearts. He received a great pair of tennis shoes plus more.”
Martin said some of the items donated were a stove and a water heater, which filled desperate needs for elderly women in the community.
Martin said she and the church congregation extend thanks to Chuck’s Convenience Store in Tullos for their help and also to Carrie Long for her assistance.
The Ladies Sunday School class called “Mixed Blessings” has a burden for helping women and children in the area.
A number of local women came to the giveaway. She said the congregation was able to minister to them and find out exactly what they needed – whether certain items or prayer for their emotional, physical and spiritual needs.
“The church will do its best to provide for these ladies,” Martin said. “We look to God to provide us to help those in need.”
Martin said the church as always looked for ways to serve the community, but in the past few years there has been even more of an emphasis and church-wide involvement.
“God has given us so much. We love helping others!” Martin said. “This has been an awesome ministry already in its second year to reach out to those that are lost and in need.”
Martin said the church will hold another Give-Away this fall and extend the invitation to the community.
“We look forward to seeing you,” Martin said. “If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ to Him be the Glory and the Power for ever and ever!”
Reprinted with permission from the Jena Times.