Mt. Olive invites neighbors for meal

Posted: Thursday, April 4, 2013 6:00 pm

The Messenger, April 4, 2013
“I felt led to look at new ways to meet practical needs,” says the Rev. Steve Carr in discussing a new community outreach lunch program being initiated by the congregation of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in the Crystal community.
Carr notes that the response to a need for fellowship and love and feeding of the body are based on Matthew 25:34-40. In that scripture, Jesus told His disciples that when they saw needs manifested in their own surroundings and responded to them with compassion, they were, in fact, ministering to Him, as well.
Carr says after praying and considering ways the church might meet some needs he had observed, he took his ideas to the deacons of the church. Their support made it possible to present the concept to the congregation, who eagerly supported it.
As a result, the church will host its first community outreach lunch April 11 at 4509 Crystal Road, two miles off Old Lake Road. Those planning to attend are advised to turn at Preuett’s Market to access the church.
Serving will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and Carr will present a short devotional. Fellowship will be a hallmark of the effort, as well.
For now, the church plans to host the luncheon once a month on the second Thursday. Response will dictate whether that schedule is increased in the future, Carr said.
He stressed that all residents of the community and those who may be working in the area, regardless of age or a connection to the church, are invited to share the meal and social time. The pastor added that the program might also grow into other outreach programs in the future.
“We want to share the love of Christ and the plan of salvation. We want to be a blessing,” he said, adding that luncheon guests will also receive a small copy of the New Testament.
“We’re all looking forward to doing this,” Clark said. “There is a need. If people find out about it, we hope they will come for a day of having fun together.”
“We chose this informal setting as a way for people to get to know us as loving and compassionate people here at Mt. Olive,” Carr said.
For more information, call 885-3456.
Sunday services begin with fellowship at 9:30 a.m., followed by Sunday school at 10 and worship at 11. On Wednesdays, there is Bible study and prayer at 6 p.m.