As the morning sun crested above the mountain tops, it began to show what we had not seen during the dark hours as began our trip. The snow that was still on the mountains of southern Appalachia testified to us that we were well on our way to Williamsburg, KY. The almost 300 mile one way trip concluded at a place that I had not pictured in my mind’s eye. It is sometimes amazing how you can picture how a place will be, how the people will be, what everything will look like…yet many times it is just not the case.
We arrived at the Friends For Families ministry which is located in a former RC Cola Bottling Company warehouse, but there were no moon pies to be found. We were greeted by a young lady whose passion for Jesus is evident at her first word. Melanie, a 38 year old mother of 7, and her husband left their jobs to begin this ministry as instructed by the Holy Spirit. Her husband still works outside the ministry and Melanie runs this ministry full time. Melanie told us that the ministry itself is independent, but that she herself is born again southern Baptist! She was born and raised in this area and is reaching out to those in need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Many of those who have received help, Melanie grew up with and knows well. Most of the volunteers that assist her every week are those who have received guidance and assistance from the ministry. She told of a young couple, Tasha and Thomas, who were addicted to methamphetamine and are now clean and attending church on a regular basis. In fact she shared with us that one service not too long ago Thomas began to fidget and squirm in his seat. Apparently, when he could not stand the conviction any longer he took a step of faith and Jesus saved him!
I could go on and on about the work of this ministry, but I wanted to just share with Pine Crest how proud I am of you. When I look at Pine Crest, I see the body of Christ in action. Your willingness to give from your heart, volunteer to complete projects, give items you no longer use or need to folks you have never met makes me see Christ in you. The load you donated along with other’s donations was the largest donation that Friends For Families has ever received. The pantry shelves were bare, but now they are full. The diapers had run out, now they have many. The clothes portion was limited, now there are choices. You are amazing, and it makes me so humbled to be your little under shepherd! 1 John 4:7 & Luke 6:38
-Pastor Craig
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