Pastor Mike Tabor of The Happy Church in Jackson, Kentucky, sends along this report (slightly edited) on Christmas ministry in the economically difficult area where he serves.
We are in the middle of a great week. A church and a few individuals made it possible to get each child of The Happy Church $30 in gifts and have a party! This turned out to be a absolutely fantastic outreach event.
We sent out a letter to all the parents telling them to write down three gifts their children would like, then drop the list off at the Happy Ship and more store and get a free gourmet coffee.
Then the parents were strongly encouraged to come to a “wrapping party” where the parents wrapped their child’s presents and tagged the presents from them to the child – not from The Happy Church.
During this time we had great Christmas music going, hot apple cider, hot chocolate, gourmet coffee (compliments of the Happy Ship and More), homemade cookies, chocolates, and other goodies.
All the wrapping supplies were provided and several parents who have never been to The Happy Church were present. We had many church members there to interact and assist with the visiting parents and it was a great event. This was as comfortable as a setting could be for introducing the non-churched to our folk.
Wednesday, we had the Christmas party where the parents were strongly urged to come. After a filling meal, and a puppet play by the teens (their first), we had the parents give the gifts to the seated kids. When the presents were all passed out, I counted to three and we had one rip-roaring time with 45+ kids flinging paper.
Because of the generous giving of other churches and individuals, we will be giving food baskets to 10 families Friday night and Sunday we will pass out even more presents to kids.
To those of you, who understand God’s precepts about giving to the poor and who are helping us help others, we say thank you and may God bless you richly.
We cannot say thank you enough to all those who are praying for the God’s work here in Jackson, Kentucky.