FOREST PARK MINISTRY CENTER

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTER

A ministry of MBACCM, Inc.

December 2013

For God SO LOVED the world, that He gave HIS ONLY SON, that WHOEVER believes in Him WILL NOT PERISH, but have EVERLASTING LIFE. -THE ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS GIFT in John 3:16.
Ministry Center Statistics 2013

Blessings Given AND Received!

There is a common misconception among believers concerning our neighbors who live in poverty. Many believe that poverty is the result of sinful choices made by unbelievers who do not know or care about a relationship with Jesus Christ. The truth is, there are many who either need to know Him or have a deep need to reconnect with the Jesus that they trusted in as children. But in many cases, the guests who visit our ministry center are beautiful Christian sisters and brothers who have been plunged into food insecurity and low income status through catastrophic circumstances. One of our greatest blessings is to meet and fellowship with a guest who, despite adverse circumstances, praises God and leans on Him. Gussie, a recent guest, wrote the following and gave me permission to share it. What a blessing she is to all she meets! Loving as Gods People When we love as God loves us, life is worth living. There is a joy, a joy thats unexplainable, a love that lets you know that even in the worst of times everything is going to be alright. He gives you a peace that only can be felt by someone who loves and understands that God in totally in control of every being. When we love like God loves us, we are set apart; God shows us that we can do all things through Him that gives us strength. Hell show us that He is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in times of despair. When we love like God loves us, we know and realize that everything is in His hands, and that no weapons formed against us will and cannot prosper. So as Christians we must pray that God will help us to love each and every day just as He does. A theologian could not have stated it better or more eloquently! Thank you, Gussie, for the blessing that you are to us!

2,039 Guest Visits 5,130 Family Members assisted (an increase of 20% over 2012). 21 Guests of the ministry prayed to receive Christ during their visit. 55,525 pounds of food distributed (an increase of 21.3% over 2012). 137 families with infants were assisted with diapers and other necessities, including those who were visited in-home, receiving a beautiful layette and mentor visit. 79 Households received financial assistance for utilities; all were seen by the director for interviews and / or budget counseling. Individual Counseling available for any guests demonstrating need. GROUPS AND SPECIAL EVENTS:

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HELPED MAKE THE 2013 MBA TOY SALE FOR FAMILIES IN NEED A GREAT SUCCESS! OVER 200 FAMILIES SHOPPED, AND MANY MORE WHO COULD NOT ATTEND WERE HELPED AFTER THE FACTTO GOD BE THE GLORY!

My Hope Matthew Party for neighborhood guests8 decisions: 4 salvations and 4 rededications. Weekly M&M Bible Study for young moms and mentors Weekly Flag Football with Devos at local apartment community during the summer. Weekly Cooking Classes with Devos at local apartment community during the summer. Short-term therapy group for womens issues 2 Backyard Bible Clubs: Child Evangelism Fellowship Mission Serve Looking forward to 2014!

A Grim Reminder of Life without Love: The Cold Within

Six humans trapped by happenstance in black and bitter cold; Each one possessed a stick of wood, or so the storys told. Their dying fire needed logs; the first one held his back For on the faces around the fire, he noticed one was black. The next man, looking across the way, saw a man not of his church, So he wouldnt bring himself to give the fire his stick of birch. The third man sat in tattered clothes, he gave his coat a hitch. Why should he put his log to use to warm the idle rich? The rich sat back and thought of the wealth he had in store. Why should he give his log to warm the shiftless poor? The black mans face bespoke revenge as the fire passed from sight, For all he saw in his stick of wood was the chance to spite the white. The last man in this forlorn group did nothing except for gain, Giving only to those who gave is how he played the game. So their logs held tight in deaths still grasp was proof of human sin; They didnt die of the cold without, they died of the cold within. By an anonymous poet, as recited by John Bradshaw