We believe that everything that happens inside the walls of the church, equips us to live and to serve the ways of Jesus outside the walls of the church.  In fact, we believe the church is at its best when it serves, sacrifices and gives, caring about the things God cares about.  We were created to live for something greater than ourselves, and we think the best way to accomplish that is by serving people outside the walls of our church.  Listed below you will find just some of the ways we are attempting to accomplish this in 2007.

 

Buses 'n Backpacks
A local missions project that allows kids the opportunity to help other kids in our own community.  This ministry provides food and other resources to families who need help throughout the year.  We work with the local schools to identify those in need.  Food is delivered to their door through donations made to the church.  This effort is lead through our Children's Ministry, teaching children how to care about other children.  For more information contact Tandy Hammond at the church office (352-243-1155).

HIS Harvest
A local ministry to families in need during the holidays.  We provide Thanksgiving and Christmas meals and various other  non-perishable items to families who are identified through the school system as needing assistance.  In addition in 2006, more than 40 families were also provided with Christmas gifts for the children.  For more information contact Michele Carter at 352-242-9642.

Project N.O.A.H.
We are partnering with the North American Mission Board to help rebuild 20 churches and 1,000 homes in the New Orleans area of the next 2 years.  Our first team will be serving April 16-22, with two more teams planning to go in July and later in the fall.  If you are interested in participating, contact the church office at 352-243-1155.

YOUTHFORCE Clermont
This is a combined effort of 4 local Student Ministries to serve our community during spring break to serve people who cannot afford or are unable physically to fix their homes.  Middle and High School students will spend the week repairing, cleaning, landscaping, and just about every thing else. They will also be throwing a block party for the families in the neighborhoods in which they'll be serving.  For more info, contact Bryan Jerry at the church office (352-243-1155).

Disaster Relief Trailer
Our goal is to purchase and outfit a trailer to be used for Disaster Relief, as well as our Saturday of Serving projects.  You can participate by selecting an item needed for the trailer and donating that amount of funds.  The trailer will be outfitted with ladders, chainsaws, a generator, air compressor and nail guns, and everything else need to respond to those in need. 

Saturday of Serving
These are monthly serving opportunities in the community and anyone can be involved in helping.  Past projects have included serving the Green Isle Children's Ranch, Special Olympics, and cleaning and repairing the home of the elderly.  You can find the current opportunity on the home page of our website. 

 

MISSIONS

We support several foreign missionaries through a combination of financial support and teams of people who travel to their location. 

Guatemala
We frequently send support teams to assist Bart and Pam Biddle in Guatemala.  Typically, ministry there includes giving out shoes in villages, building and construction projects, nutritional training and medical assistance. 

Papau New Guinea
Working with the missionary organization called "New Tribes Mission", Keith and Angie Copley are in PNG serving the Hewa people.  Their goal is to plant tribal churches in un-reached areas of the world.  We help provide a portion of their monthly finacial support through our annual church budget.

British Columbia
Moving from Leesburg, FL to Kamloops, B.C, Donnie & Sherrie Spivey are in the process of planting a church in an area that is 95% unchurched.  We have helped with finaicial support since they moved more than a year ago.  However, this July, we are sending our first team of volunteers for a week long trip. We will be helping their church (The Bridge Church) prepare for their annual summer outreach event.  If you are interested in being a part of this team, contact the church office for more information (352-243-1155).