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JEANIE CORREA
Witness Intern
ORANGE PARK (FBW)-The congregation at Ridgewood Baptist Church adopted 33 families evacuated from the leveled Gulf Coast area, and expects that number to grow to about 40 by the end of the month.
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Upon learning about the evacuee’s needs, a six-member “mercy” team from the church immediately reached out to help the evacuees staying at Hunter’s Run Apartments. Without hesitation, church members donated food, clothes and appliances for Jacksonville’s newest residents.
“This is an opportunity for us to reach out and include these people, whether they are Christians or not,” said Linda Noe, who spearheaded the ministry.
After the initial donation of goods, the mercy team established a clothes-closet at Hunter’s Run apartments. Ten volunteers work daily to sort all of the donated items.
With a strong emphasis on missions and outreach, Ridgewood’s 800-strong congregation has embraced its new neighbors through giving and is also inviting them into Bible study groups and worship services.
Our people are glad to help their new friends, greeting them at worship services and talking with them during Wednesday night dinners – which are free to the evacuees.
“Members are just very loving and accepting of all of them. It’s all working out real well,” Noe said. “We’ve got a real friendly church and a really spiritual pastor, who has opened up the hearts of a lot of people.”
In addition to the items collected by the church, Noe said FEMA gave to each family an award of a one-year lease through Hunters Run apartments, as well as a debit card for milk, eggs, bread, and other perishables and personal items.
One extended family, totaling 30, is especially thankful to Ridgewood for its commitment to giving, Noe said. Separated by their busy lives in New Orleans, each found his way to Jacksonville after enduring trying situations at rescue centers.
Since arriving, they’ve put their children in schools and have started looking for jobs, Noe said. “They’ve learned to depend on one another. They’re just so thankful to God for bringing them together.”
People want to find jobs, Noe said. Some need cars; they need transportation to jobs and to college. Some plan to save up for a down payment on a home, since this is now where home is.
Ridgewood invited a Christian comedian Sept. 25, and collected proceeds totaling $2,034, which will be used to buy additional items needed. The mercy team plans to hold an auction or yard sale after the 40th apartment is filled, sell all the remaining donated items and give the proceeds to the apartment families. They will then continue to support their adoptees until each of them is able to live without assistance.
One family receiving assistance belongs to a cult known for its persistence. One of the family members sent an encouraging note of thanks to Hal Fletcher, Ridgewood’s pastor. Fletcher plans to follow up with a visit and share the Good News of Christ with them.
“What we’re doing is building a bridge,” Fletcher said. “Jesus ministered to physical needs as a bridge to minister to spiritual needs. By showing care and compassion, we have the ability to minister to their souls.”