IOWA-MISSOURI CONFERENCE
St. Louis Central Church Thanks Local Healthcare Providers with Gift Boxes Norman Njihi
Jeremy Claridge
(left) Nurses at a local provider receive their gift box. (right) Two young people help deliver the boxes.
5:16-18). As someone who gladly suffered much hardship for the cause of Christ, he saw the importance of he St. Louis Central because of the negative The response was overremembering what God has Church’s personal minis- impact such foods have on whelmingly positive. The done, is doing and will do for tries team recently delivered their immune systems. church members who work at us in all circumstances. gift boxes to local healthcare So, the team decided to the hospital reported back that This project was simple, providers and other essential surprise them. Nine boxes their coworkers were grateful fun, cost-effective and allowed workplaces as a way of thank- were delivered to various for the packages and have for various age groups to get ing them for their service. inpatient and outpatient been asking questions about involved. It’s easy to compliThe church had been medical centers in the area, the church. The personal cate things when it comes looking for ways to reach out including a COVID-19 ministries team praises God to outreach—thinking that to the community during unit, and another four were for the warm welcome the it needs to be highly sophisthis challenging time, and delivered (with the help boxes received, and they hope ticated or complex. The St. the idea for the boxes came of some young members) this will further strengthen Louis Central Church hopes about when church members to area skilled nursing the members’ witness in their experience will encourwho work in a local hospital facilities and non-medical their workplaces during this age others to reach out and shared that they and their essential workplaces. unprecedented time. continue showing thankfulcoworkers had been receivEach box contained healthy The Apostle Paul often ness in all things. ing free food like pizzas snacks, notes of appreciation, speaks of maintaining a perand donuts—gifts for which a “thank you” poem, spiritual spective of thankfulness as an Amy Son Ikpeama is chair of the Ministries committee they were grateful but felt tracts and fun colorful decor integral part of the Christian Personal at the St. Louis Central Church conflicted about consuming to brighten their day. faith (e.g., Col. 2:6-7; 1 Thes. in Missouri.
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Amy Son Ikpeama
Devon Andersen
(left) Members prepare to deliver the boxes. Pictured (l-r): Pastor Rob Alfalah, Melissa Morris, Amy Son Ikpeama, Nancy Burkett, and Claridge family (right) Devon Andersen, church member and hospital worker, takes a selfie with coworkers after receiving their box. 16 OUTLOOKMAG.ORG OCT 2020
