EVANGELISM
COMMUNITY FOOD DISTRIBUTION & COVID-19 TESTING
CTC Glory of the Latter House Ministries has hosted a food pantry for over twenty years. A pillar of hope in a community that needs a river of Living Waters flowing through it for growth in this community as well as those in need in neighboring communities. Due to the foundation set by the late Pastor Jinks Arnold and the continued work and dedication of Pastor Donna M. Arnold this food pantry has been recognized near and far in the city of Chicago. CTC has strong partnerships with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Whole Foods and other sources for healthy, fresh food. Since the COVID-19 pandemic struck the world many food pantries ceased to operate. CTC’s food pantry has worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic even offering personal protective equipment, i.e. masks, gloves and hand sanitizer as well as COVID-19 testing onsite during the pantry hours. Due to the closing of many pantries CTC has seen the number of needy persons increase dramatically. In addition to providing food, PPE and COVID-19 testing, CTC spreads the GOOD NEWS to every person who receives natural gifts from CTC. They also receive PRAYER and the WORD of GOD. Pastor Donna has a mantra – ‘Prayer changes things….’ She strongly believes in the power of prayer and lives accordingly. During the CTC daily prayer call, on Wednesdays, a time is set aside to pray for the pantry, specifically the leader, the volunteers and those who are in need. It is a pleasure to serve God’s people and meet their needs in the spirit of love, ‘the most excellent way.’ (1 Corinthians 12:21)
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THE CHRISTIAN OUTLOOK
FOOD DISTRIBUTION
The year 2020 will be a memorable year for many Nashville, Tennesseans. It was filled with a lot of devastation and loss. Nashville was hit by a tornado a year ago and many people lost property and lives. Businesses were destroyed and people were without food and shelter. Overnight the homeless population doubled. The Greater Christ Temple (GCT) Outreach Team stepped up to meet the needs of the community. Food baskets were distributed to those in need and business owners donated gift cards to distribute to those affected. Two weeks later before anyone had a chance to recover, the pandemic broke out. There have been about 8,000 active cases in the metro Nashville area alone and about 400 deaths. These events have devasted many families. The GCT Outreach Team follows the model of our Pastor, Bishop Sherman L. Merritt, Sr. by increasing availability and sacrificing both time and money to serve the community. Some of our efforts include “Soup for Souls,” where we provide the homeless communities with hot meals. The GCT food pantry partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank to provide food baskets containing nonperishable items to those affected by the pandemic. The GCT Outreach Team sponsored another event during the Christmas season, “Each One Reach One,” where every member of GCT took a bag containing food, clothing, and water, and passed them out to anyone with a hardship in the community. Greater Christ Temple has kept its doors open to provide an encouraging word and to strengthen families by offering outdoor services and live streaming. During this year of uncertainty, GCT has been there to offer love, support, food, gift cards, clothing, prayer, and the Word of God. All praises belong to God. His hands are at work through us.
“POSITIONED FOR PROMISE”
MAY/JUNE 2021
