Dora’s Mission of Hope furthers ministry with help of local Baptists

It’s a new building but we’re still the same.”
   
It was a friendly crowd that Vicki Ward addressed at the July 27 grand opening of the new building for Mission of Hope, a nonprofit organization based in Dora that reaches out to families in and around the community with resources such as food, household items and school supplies.
   
“This is for you,” said Ward, who works with Mission of Hope, as she spoke to the community members she has grown to know and love. “We just praise God that you’re here.”
   
As part of the celebration, the mission gave those in attendance an opportunity to receive groceries and children were able to get school supplies for the upcoming academic year.
   
Much of the resources for Mission of Hope come from local churches including New Temple Baptist Church, Dora, in Sulphur Springs Baptist Association.
   
“They (those who need help at the mission) are one of our constant projects,” said Renee McAdams, head of the women’s ministry at New Temple Baptist, where Ward is also a member.
   
McAdams said the women at New Temple sponsor a canned-food drive in the summer for these families in need, noting that they need additional food at this time because the children are home all day. 
   
The women’s ministry also sponsors a dinner event for women of the community at which the churchwomen prepare and serve the meal. 
   
In addition, members of New Temple hold a golf tournament to raise money for items needed to give to local families at Christmas, plus help with Easter baskets and other projects and needs that come up throughout the year. 
   
McAdams said the Great Commission mandates witnessing in Jerusalem first and Dora and the surrounding area is their Jerusalem. 
   
With the consistent help people in the community receive from the mission, she said they begin to feel comfortable with the people and are more willing to ask for help. 
   
McAdams said the new facility — which the men of New Temple helped build — would enable Mission of Hope to meet more needs in the community.
   
“These are our neighbors,” she said. “They need to be able to ask for help in their time of need.”