In 2014, Scott Hassell, pastor of First Baptist Church, Southside, asked his staff to share a vision for helping the church become more involved in its community. The church’s secretary/treasurer, Allison Cleveland, suggested the idea of “Making A Difference” (MAD) Ministries, which ultimately came to fruition in October 2014.
Unlike many other ministries in the church, MAD isn’t funded from the church budget but is self-funded by special events the ministry puts on. Cleveland said, “MAD Ministries was started with the intention of making a difference for Jesus Christ in our congregation, community and world with one act of service at a time.
“It centers around Hebrews 6:10, whichstates, ‘God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.’ As Christians we are called to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.”
Special events
Since its launch MAD Ministries has hosted events that include: a coat/mitten/ hat/scarf drive where MAD funds plus church donations purchased cold weather gear to donate to local elementary-aged children; the adoption of two area high school students for Christmas (MAD purchased clothes, shoes, food and other items for them); Christmas caroling at a local nursing home; a community Easter egg hunt; and “drive-thru blessings” — paying for meals of the car behind you in the drive-thru line and giving the cashiera note to hand to the person whose meals have been purchased for them.
Brian Jones, who has been a member of First, Southside, since 1991, now heads up MAD Ministries, although he’s been a volunteer since the ministry began. He’s especially excited about the way MAD is set up to help the church form relationships with its community — ultimately allowing for opportunities to witness to community members.
“Sure, it’s to help our community, but it’s so much more than that,” Jones said. “By helping our community and becoming more involved, we make connections with our community that in turn lead to more relationships with people in the community.
“It’s by those relationships that we are able to share more with the people about Christ, as friends are more receptive of the salvation of Christ than strangers.”
Most recently MAD Ministries hosted a yard sale to raise funds for future ministry events. The sale was held May 2 and church members brought gently used items to contribute. MAD also sold breakfast and lunch items and raised $1,167.50 at the event.
Future events MAD Ministries is considering include a community patriotic event; a booth at Southside City Fest; baking homemade cookies for area teachers during school in-service days in August; and donating backpacks and school supplies to needy children in local schools.
‘MAD’ enough
Cleveland said, “When we become ‘MAD’ enough about the spiritual needs, suffering, brokenness and physical poverty in our world to do something about it, we become the hands and feet of Jesus Christ to His children here on Earth.”
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