If you were to peruse the Orange Cove, Fla., Church web site, an eye-catching motto would stand out—“To be a mature disciple: Refresh, Abide, Share, Give, Mentor.” This wasn’t, however, always the evangelism path chosen by the pastor or congregation of this 100-member church.
Things rapidly changed in 2009 after Pastor André Van Heerden fervently prayed on his way home from a mission conference, “Lord, please open up opportunities for me and my church members to get outside the four walls of our church to serve the local community.”
His quest for outreach opportunities occurred after a visit with a colleague who had started a free medical clinic. André discovered a clinic in nearby Green Cove Springs with a need to be open on Sunday for treating an overflow of Saturday patients. With training and certification to screen and approve patients, Orange Cove Church members held an initial medical clinic on July 19, 2009. This ministry continues on the first and third Sunday of each month.
After becoming involved in community meetings and functions, André was introduced to The Mercy Network of Clay County, an organization providing a platform for city, county, and faith-based non-profits and charitable organizations to share resources and partner together. Because of his vision and passion, André was chosen as president of Mercy Network, and avenues for community outreach became unlimited.
Orange Cove church members began sporting blue T-shirts and smiling faces while volunteering at soup kitchens, helping at a free county-wide back-to-school immunization day, and serving food to workers at a Labor Ready supper program on Monday nights. They also operated an ACTS mobile mass-feeding kitchen at a county-wide outreach program for disadvantaged, unemployed, and homeless, and recently volunteered to feed crew members at an Extreme Makeover: Home Edition event.
Members serve as facilitators for seminars, cooking schools, and a food pantry. The church has opened a waiting room with cubicles for consultations, and members are trained to screen and do case management for people needing assistance.
Housing provisions for homeless families began more than a year ago when Orange Cove Church initiated assisting them with temporary accommodations. Other churches and organizations came on board, providing a week of hotel housing for one family. This led to establishing two group homes as depicted in a video aired on First Coast News in Jacksonville.
Pastor André believes this miracle of ministry came about as a result of his persistent prayers and counsel he followed from Ellen White:
Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, “Follow Me.”
—Ministry of Healing, page 143
A small church in Northeast Florida has been rejuvenated, retread, and revived. Attendance has increased, and new members have been baptized as this miracle of ministry continues.