CHURCHES DO MORE THAN JUST PRAY

On April 21st The Review ran a very nice article about local churches joining together for a prayer chain along State Street on Sunday afternoon, the 15th. It was a sign of spiritual unity in our community, and an effort to seek God’s guidance and help for our city and schools and surrounding townships. This is a very common and normal thing that Christians do – they pray together.

It was surprising, however, to see some negative Facebook comments about this faithful activity by our citizens. Some folks thought the churches should do more than just pray – and thankfully they do.

We could fill several pages with both public and private acts of compassion and service done by churches and Christians in the Alliance area. In fact there are at least thirty-one area churches involved in a variety of programs to help families and individuals in need. Here are just a few examples of what is being done.

Five days a week at least one meal is provided, plus food pantries and free hygiene products. Clothing is given away free or for a small price. Homeless shelters are available. School supplies and backpacks are handed out before the school year begins. There is help for rent, utilities, and other needs.

Services include pregnancy tests and counseling at the Alliance Pregnancy Center and employment opportunities through Men’s Challenge.

There are activities for kids at the skate park, basketball programs, bus trips, and Days in the Park.

Every church involved in the prayer chain as well as every other church in this area follows Biblical teachings about helping others, serving others, loving others, and praying for others!

The critics are welcome to join one of the church’s activities that are so very helpful to folks in need and they may discover first-hand what followers of Jesus are doing in addition to prayer, and thus see what Christ can do for them as well.

This was posted by Carl E. Gustafson in The-Review – Alliance OH on 04/28/18.