NEWS
Small-town church makes outsized impact In the past year to current, the Buchanan church has added new outreaches to the community for local evangelism. It is partly due to new members joining our church with new ideas and with the help of the current members that this has taken place. Last year we started the “Stop and Pray” in front of our church. We held signs inviting cars to stop if they would
E Gyl Bateman, Cindy and Les Ferguson donating handmade washcloths and soap to Homeless Ministry
like members to pray with them; we gave out literature, muffins, fruit, and prayed with many people. The card ministry has been going on for several years. We send out cards for birthdays, anniversaries, illnesses, bereavement and holiday cards. Last year we also sent cards for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Valentine’s Day. It serves a couple of purposes. It lets people know that we are thinking of them, as many are not able to come related to COVID-19, and some are in nursing homes. Some have responded by thanking the church for the cards of inspiration and feeling comfortable enough to reach out to ask for help from the church. One member just called to ask for special prayer because of receiving a card. Other members, mother and son, have returned to church and have been coming on a regular basis because of the cards. We have partnered with Neighbor-toNeighbor and have received clothes with
in-home care. Many people went home
a shopping spree and donated snacks,
and brought their family and neighbors
sweaters, scarves, socks, etc.
back the next day. Our church continues to host the
tion class at our church; it will be modeled
American Red Cross blood drive which is
much the same as another local church
every three to four months. We had 38
in Berrien Springs. We hope to have a
units of blood donated on March 9. The
group of 12 to 15 people that we can help
Red Cross has told us that our location
and continue contact with even after the
is great for them to serve the Southwest
meetings have ended. They will need this
Michiana community and want to
to keep from slipping back into their old
continue to use our church for future
habits.
blood drives.
The Lord has blessed this church with
We have a couple of dedicated mem-
dedicated members that are on fire for
bers that go to Elkhart every Sunday to
Him. There are many retirees who have
pick up commodities for RAM, Redbud
the time and are willing to pursue these
Area Ministry, since their staff is in church
ministries. We are also considering a
on Sunday. This is used to serve those in
building that would be made to help the
need in Buchanan. A couple of our mem-
community with different programs, such
bers are serving on their board as well.
as cooking school, recreation activities,
Our church as well as other local churches
and other events to help the community. P
help RAM with giving clothes, food, and money to help those in need. A new ministry we just started on
which we have done several clothing
March 6 is giving packages of food,
drives. It has been successful because
toiletries and clothes to the homeless in
people were made aware through
Buchanan and Niles. It has been success-
Facebook posts and the sign outside the
ful and the Lord has directed in getting
church. A local television station came
these items from local businesses. An
out and interviewed several people,
Adventist dentist who has his office in
including the Personal Ministry leader,
Niles donated toothpaste and tooth-
John Nichols, a lady that was helped by
brushes, Quality Inn in Niles donated a
the clothing, Suzie W., and she got items
case of toilet paper, lotion and bars of
for her clients as she is a nurse that does
soap, and Fifth Third Bank staff went on
40 MAY 2021
In July there are plans to have an addic-
Gyl Bateman, Buchanan Church Communication assistant
E John Nichols, Personal Ministries director
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