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Local Outreach Ministry Updates

February 3, 2022 | Uncategorized

The mission of King Street Church is to engage and bless our community with the Gospel.  One of the ways that we accomplish this is through supporting ministries with like-minded passion for Jesus and for the lost people of our community.  Within KSC we have a team of lay leaders called the Local Outreach Co-Mission.  Every quarter they invite representatives from our ministry partners to attend and this past Tuesday, 12 ministries came to share what God is doing through the works to which they have been called.

Adam Keath, Pastor of Restoration and Recovery, oversees our local ministries.  After prayer and a few announcements, he invited each representative to share their praises, hardships, and ways we can be praying for them.  You might expect, with COVID continuing to present challenges, that the discouragement meter might be running high.  One leader after another did have hard things to share, but with an equal portion of God-sightings and reports of fruitfulness.

  • Lee and Mary Jo (Sweet Grace) were excited to share that they have expanded their ministry to include two more hospitals in Altoona, and Frederick, MD (their first hospital in the state of Maryland!)  This brings their total hospitals to 19.  They ask that we pray they are able to find local churches in these cities from which they can receive support. They also ask for prayer for key staff Katy and Vanessa.  Sweet Grace seeks to offer support, hope, and empathy to those who have endured miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death.  Click to learn more.
  • Jan (Joy El Ministries) said they are preparing for a big summer of camp, as last year brought a record number of children and over 500 decisions to begin a relationship with Christ.  Jan praised God for a remodeled dining hall; they are looking forward to using that this year.  Their Bible Adventure/CIA programs are operating at full capacity despite a 20% drop in volunteers.  They have 800 people serving instead of 1,000.  They are especially in need of bus drivers with a passenger endorsement. They are looking for “High 5” prayer partners who will pray 5 minutes a day, 6 days a week.  They have seen God move in mighty ways through these prayer partners.  “Igniting a generation that seeks Him.”  Joy El seeks to provide opportunities for people to experience life-change through personal encounters with God.  Click to learn more.  
  • Pastor Christian (Fruitbelt Farmworkers Ministry) described the delight of some of his workers when they were served hot coffee by a local church  – “real” coffee, not instant – which they had never tasted before. They were overwhelmed by the act of kindness.  He described that they serve over 2,500 workers every summer, and last year about 80 asked Christ to be their Savior.  He has been looking for new ways to reach the workers.  Sometimes they have campfires with s’mores.  This has led to some micro churches.   This ministry is dedicated to serving migrant and seasonal farm workers who come to South Central Pennsylvania to harvest the various fruit crops. Email for more information.
  • Andrea (She’s Somebody’s Daughter) praised God that they are finding new ways to minister to women who are vulnerable to the sex trade.  They have shifted their focus away from clubs (because they have closed due to COVID) to other industries and areas.  They have expanded so much that they are now seeking two new staff members.  Creating communities that HONOR women. SSD offers presentations to educate the general public about the issues related to pornography, sex trafficking and sexual abuse.  Click to learn more. 
  • Jason (CCO Campus Ministry) described the apathy he is seeing in college students at Shippensburg University. He is chaplain for the football team and is ministering to student athletes.  He asked that we pray for students to have a heart for Christ.  CCO Campus Ministry seeks to transform college students to transform the world by calling them to serve Jesus Christ with their entire lives.
  • Sharon (CROSS) requested prayer for more staff – staff who will need to be willing to do harder work for less money than they can get paid at nearly any other job.  They have been greatly blessed by those who have provided meals for their residents; this is a huge help.  Recently they have faced illness in some of the houses, COVID.  She described how beautiful it is to be reminded to pray by their residents, as their faith is pure and unclouded by doubt.  The residents are very excited about Night to Shine and we are praying there isn’t any ice.  CROSS, Inc. seeks to provide residential and social services to persons with developmental disabilities and their families.  Opportunities for intellectual, spiritual and emotional growth are provided in a developmental environment based on Christian values.  Click to learn more.
  • Carissa (Monarch’s Way) was very excited to announce that they have three young women staying at the home now.  They have been really encouraged with their progress and have also been able to minister to their families.  One of the young women has just accepted Christ as her Savior and is hungry to learn about the Lord.  It’s been really neat to see her grow and to see the other women helping her.  A top prayer request is for permanent house parents.  Carissa was heading back after the meeting to take the overnight shift.  They need just the right couple to meet this need– God’s choice of course.  Monarch’s Way is a private Christian school, based in a loving, family environment that is dedicated to helping at-risk girls break free from life-controlling behaviors and circumstances. Our program promises to provide the opportunity to transform hurting teens into individuals who know their identity, believe in their purpose, and dream big about their destiny.   Click to learn more.      
  • Linda (Pregnancy Ministries) is in the process of stepping down so that Suzy can take over.  Please pray for this important transition.  The ladies described that they have branched out in new ways, now offering counseling for men that impresses the importance of a male role model in a child’s life, even if they don’t intend to marry the mother.  They continue to have good attendance at their Bible study, “Forgiven and Set Free,” for those who have had abortions.  They also requested that we pray for an event coordinator and bookkeeper.  They have also seen an increase in abortion-minded women.  Please pray that they would be able to help these women make a choice to save the lives of their children.  PMI provides free & confidential services including STI testing & treatment, pregnancy & pregnancy-related services, material support and unconditional, non-judgmental acceptance.  Click to learn more.
  • Jim and Katie (Once More Ministries) shared that their quarterly distributions have expanded to include food as they have combined forces with Maranatha Ministries and Benders Produce Farm; they served 250 families (representing over 1,000 people) in December.  Katie, who is seeking a master’s degree in Applied Leadership, is providing direct leadership for the upcoming March distribution, which will include special bags for children.  The Dollar Store recently raised prices from $1 to $1.25, causing major budgetary concerns.  They are praying for increased donations from KSC for the March distribution.   This ministry shares the love of Jesus and builds relationships by providing toiletries to those in need in our community.  They collect toiletry donations year-round in bins located in the church lobbies.  The ministry is led by Jim Washabaugh and a team of volunteers.  For more information or to inquire about volunteering, email omm@kschurch.org 
  • Andy (Disciplemakers) is now leading 66 students in a Romans Bible study.  He is seeing a hunger in the students to learn more about the Bible.  Andy is also leading a leadership study, Fuel in the Flame.  Something new that they are trying is an “Upgrade Your Life” program which offers non-spiritual care for areas like anxiety and time-management.  Their ministry at Shippensburg also includes six women’s discipleship groups.  DiscipleMakers is a Christian campus ministry based in Pennsylvania. Their goal is to raise up the next generation of leaders for the Church by training college students in Bible study, gospel-driven discipleship, and evangelism.  Click to learn more.
  • Kara (InterVarsity Christian Fellowship) asked for prayer for a new prayer meeting they are starting with some of their students. They work on-campus at Wilson College, Dickinson, and Penn State Mont Alto.  Student leadership remains a major challenge as they see a remarkably high turnover rate. Kara expressed gratefulness for some KSC members who are serving with their programs: Colby Maun, Emma Lowman, and Brian MacWilliams.  InterVarsity is a vibrant campus ministry that establishes and advances witnessing communities of students and faculty.
  • Alyssa (Agape English Ministries) shared that they are seeing increasingly high numbers of students attending their classes.  They are helping some of them in their immigration efforts but delayed court dates have caused complications.  Please pray for provisions for students who are in the country legally, but unable to work until they progress further in the process.  Agape is a KSC ministry that loves our neighbors by helping them to learn English— all for the glory of God. There are many chances to serve on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays in our Computer Lab, Tutoring Sessions, Conversation Class, Bible Study group or our Large Group Class. Contact Sue Marshall to learn more.   

 

At the end of the meeting, even though time was tight and this devoted group of servants was clearly tired, everyone was eager to pray together.  Pastor Adam suggested that the people at each round table pray for those sitting across from them.  Soon the room was humming with the sounds of petition and praise to our God.

Last week KSC said goodbye to a devoted KSC member, friend, and leader when Kim Shatzer went home to heaven.  At her memorial service, it was repeated that Kim said some church meetings felt like worship to her.  Kim recognized that God is honored and glorified by hearts united in Him and pursuing His will, even when such work is done in meetings.  On Tuesday night that reality manifested in M27/29; people were gathered from a dozen different places – different buildings, programs, ministries – serving different sets of people with different needs and burdens.  They were honest and real.  They shared what inspired them and what grieved them.  With heads bowed, they lifted each other up to the same Jesus, urgently calling for His hand of mercy, His wisdom and guidance, and His blessing as the Gospel is shared with those who don’t know Him.  Throughout the evening a beautiful spirit of worship was palpable in the space.

Praise God for those who offer healing for the broken at Sweet Grace and Monarch’s Way.  Praise God for those who extend love to the marginalized at CROSS, She’s Somebody’s Daughter, the Fruitbelt Farmworkers Ministry, Pregnancy Ministries, Agape English, and Once More Ministries.  Praise God for those nurturing tomorrow’s generation at InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, DiscipleMakers, Joy El, and CCO Campus Ministry.