by Gladys Neigel
God is looking for disciples today as He did by the Sea of Galilee more than 2,000 years ago. Becoming a disciple means communication with God on a two-way street with unhurried requests and then listening for His answers. The Master Designer will open doors, find funding for ministries, and place His people in the right place at the right time just as He has done for Pastor Dan Forbes and members of South Orlando Church.
It all began when Forbes attended a meeting where Florida Conference President Mike Cauley encouraged pastors to no longer just maintain status quo in their churches, but to think outside the box through community outreach. After getting permission of the church board to pursue possibilities, Forbes prayed for guidance of what to do and how to fund it.
A few days later, someone from Harbor House Agency visited Forbes asking for his help with grant-funded Project Courage, a pilot program to end domestic violence. This led to serving on the Orange County Domestic Violence Task Force and opportunities to connect with agencies which have resources for outreach programs.
“We are trying to develop programs to meet community needs,” says Forbes, “so we can make friends and let them know the neighborhood Adventist Church is home to people who genuinely care.” Members are encouraged to take their passion, dedicate it to God, and turn it into a ministry to reach others. A partial list of these ministry programs include:
Domestic Violence Awareness Seminar
Dr. Monica Mendez from Harbor House Agency has presented two seminars. Attendance for the Domestic Violence Seminar was 25, with more than 40 at the Action Plan Seminar. Presenters have already attended church services and potluck dinners.
CPR Class
Allied Medical School, in close proximity to the church, conducted a CPR/AED class for 25 people and will present additional first aid and/or CPR classes as needed. The school has a grant to train 1,000 people every year, so there is no charge for this service.
Health Fair
One fair has already been held with more scheduled. Forbes and a small group of helpers ran the fair with excellent assistance from entities such as The American Heart Association, The Orange County Bloodmobile, and the local fire department, as well as a local physician’s office.
Radio Program
Forbes is a co-host with Oliver Edwards, a professor at University of Central Florida, for a weekly show called Families by Design. Forbes and Edwards add credence to the program through the knowledge gained from their doctorates in social service areas.
English Language Classes
Classes are coordinated by a Spanish-speaking member who works with Forbes and other members to interact with the class attendees.
One gentleman asked the director to pray for him. Scars on his arms were visible as he told of three attempts to take his life. The church marquee sign with an invitation for English language classes drew him in. However, previously finding two books in a trash can—Steps to Christ and a book in Spanish by Evangelist Alejandro Bullón—helped prepare his heart to proclaim, “I need to get right with God. This year I want to know Jesus.”
Second Harvest Food Bank
Food is given out to the community on Friday mornings. Recipients are surveyed for future programs and given invitations for church functions.
Literature Distribution
While food is distributed in the parking lot behind the church on Friday mornings, free literature is made available to the community from tables set up in front of the church.
Clothing Distribution
Another Friday morning service is the distribution of clothing. Noticing a need, Marcia Amarante, community services director, organized a meal at Thanksgiving and Christmas for more than 30 individuals who were homeless or facing difficult times. One gentleman said, “I’m a sinner. I can’t believe you are doing this for me.”
Recycling
Bible workers Devon Lyons and Mike Shellong mentioned the church’s recycling program to business owners as they were working in the area. The church has a goal of raising $1,000 for additional community projects from the sale of recyclables brought to the church’s recycling center by local businesses.
Growth Groups
Every church member is encouraged to use their talents for organizing small group ministries.
Revelation Health
Mental health professional Sebastian Amarante created Revelation Health to treat substance abuse and addiction issues from a spiritual and practical perspective.
Internet
It is not uncommon to find nonmembers attending church through contact with the web site. Inquiries have come from as close as the church’s neighborhood to as far away as Australia.
Evangelistic Meetings
A new method of inviting people to meetings occurred when Bible workers and members went out on the church’s sidewalk, stopped people who were passing by, and personally invited them to attend. The response from these people was favorable.
First Responders Appreciation
Firefighters, police, EMTs, etc. are honored at a special annual worship service.
Flea Market Evangelism
Every Sabbath afternoon, Oscar Dickerson, a former pastor of another denomination who became an Adventist, takes a tent, chairs, literature, and equipment to a flea market with the help of other church members. He preaches on general topics of Christ and salvation.
Youth Evangelism
Youth leader Mavis Martin, known as Auntie Mel, noticed that text messaging is a major communication avenue for young people, so she made learning this technology her priority. She regularly sends text messages of encouragement, announcements, reminders, invitations to church, and other events. A Friday Night Youth Talk program encourages young people to attend and invite their friends. As a result, there is increased youth attendance at church activities.
Family Life Department
Individuals interested in the church often have issues in their lives to address and correct before baptism. For example, women in the church are prepared to organize a wedding ceremony when needed for new believers. Two weddings are already scheduled and a third couple is considering doing the same.
Crisis Help Line
An established Help Line System reroutes calls to trained volunteers in their own homes. A training event was scheduled at the church in March for members who had already signed up to become more personally involved in the church’s outreach to the community.
Career Counseling Workshop/Résumé Clinic
Bible worker Mike Shellong contacted a professional connected with the University of Central Florida and the Children’s Home Society who is scheduled to present a career counseling workshop in March.
Birthday Party
Everyone’s Birthday Party saw members and visitors celebrating with new friends over good food.
Fitting It All Together
As a result of this growing web of ministries, new friends have been made, Bible studies given, and baptisms taken place because of outreach evangelism.
“I am grateful to Mike Cauley and members of the Florida Conference administration,” says Forbes, “for creating an atmosphere of acceptance and support for a church doing intentional ministry outside the box of traditional evangelism.”