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all for one, for the children (back2school 2013)




And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.

Psalm 72:4  NLT
Help him to defend the poor, to rescue the children of the needy, and to crush their oppressors.

If you have known me for very long, you know that the back2school outreach is one of our favorite and biggest events of the year.  I mean this year is about to be the best ever for many, many reasons.  We are 81 days away, and that scares me, excites me and makes me realize that we need your help.

In all the past years of back2school we have served over 4,500 students in various ways.  Last year the total was over 1,750 with 3 churches and over 400 volunteers all working for a common cause and making a big difference in the lives of many students.  Students receive a new backpack filled with school supplies, gently used clothes, a haircut and brand new shoes and socks.  Also each student has their feet washed by one of our team members who talks to them about their future and about hope in Jesus.  All the glory goes to God. 

But 2013 will be the best yet.  Really, it will.  Why?  Thanks for asking.  The goal for this year’s back2school is to serve over 3,100 students and 6 churches have come together.  Yes, that is 6 churches (Fairway in Bassett, CrossPoint in Bassett, The Community in Collinsville, Mercy Crossing in Martinsville, Mt. Calvary in Axton, and First Pentecostal Holiness in Danville).  That makes me want to shout a lot, dance a bit and tell the entire world.

Lots of that makes me proud to lead an awesome group of people, yet what I see now, have seen in the past, and am ready to see in the time to come is how God gets all the glory.  You see, I believe when Christians come together for a cause to glorify God big things happen.  Often people see us fight and not work together.  Often people hear what we are against and not what we are for.  Often churches major on our differences rather than on what makes us one church and what is really the main thing.  The main thing is Jesus.  We must gather together to serve Jesus.  You heard me … JESUS!

I am more excited than ever about these churches working together to impact the lives of students and their families.  This is going to be bigger and better than any of us have planned.  Wait!  God knows, and He planned this awesome event.  But we will have to wait to see how big and good and sweet it will be.

Here is the thing… your help is needed.  The goal is to serve 3,100 students, and the cost is $18 per student.  If you do the math, that is over $55,000.  We are already praising God for what He has provided, and that He will provide the rest.  Will you help us get there?  Commit to pray for the students and team who will serve on Saturday, August 3rd, when the back2school outreach event will happen across the area (by the way, it is 53 miles from one end to the other as the map above shows).  Commit to volunteer that day or on the days before as we prepare.  Commit to donate gently used clothes for kids and brand new socks.  Or give a gift to help make the event happen (send your donation to TCF back2school, PO Box 388, Collinsville, VA 24078 or email info@thecommunityfellowship.org or call 276-647-8231; you can also give online by CLICKING THIS LINK).

Why do we do this?  Why does back2school exist?  It is because God called us to this ministry, and we ain’t seen nothing yet.  Our prayer is that God would use this effort to demonstrate the love of God to our community and beyond.  Join in.  Let’s make it happen.  It’s gonna be bigger than ever, and I can’t wait ……….

(God) who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Titus 3:14  NLT
Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive.


for more information about The Community Fellowship or The Community Dream Center call 276-647-8231 or email info@thecommunityfellowship.org

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