St. Louis Central Church Raises Funds for Homeless During Special Sabbath

The St. Louis Central Church recently sponsored a special Sabbath of gratitude and praise. In addition to Sabbath school and the worship service, there was time allotted for singing praise music, reading psalms, and sharing testimonies of God’s goodness and mercies. The guest speaker was conference president Dean Coridan.

A fellowship meal was served in the beautifully decorated Forsyth School gym, followed by a benefit concert that raised over $1,700 for Brown Bags for Jesus, a ministry to the homeless sponsored by the church’s women’s ministries team.

The concert featured outstanding musicians Kendol Bacchus (piano) from St. Vincent, who has been featured on 3ABN; Ginnie Roa (violin) from Orlando; and local artists Bernard Morris (saxophone), Kori Cook (flute), Matthew Kim (cello), Charles Bugett (piano/ vocals), Monique Lavalas (vocals), Rhyz Wilson (piano), and Amy Ikpeama (piano). The Imani Pathfinder club, which also participates in an active homeless street ministry at the St. Louis Northside Church, collected the donations.

(left) Musicians, along with event emcees Christine Salter (back, left) and Susan Miles (back, third from right), prepare for the benefit concert.

Photo Credit: Valerie Hosna

Brown Bags for Jesus also recently distributed over 200 care packages—including socks, blankets, food and personal care items—to homeless people in the St. Louis area. The women’s ministries team has taken to heart what Jesus said about serving the poor: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matt. 25:40).

Pathfinders prepare to distribute food and other personal care items to the homeless of St. Louis.

Photo Credit: Wayne Ervin

The special Sabbath culminated with a reception for the lead musician, Bacchus, and a silent auction of beautiful wreaths made and donated by the women’s ministries team.

Christine Salter is women’s ministries leader for the St. Louis Central Church in Missouri.