Appalachian Outreach Newsletter
Appalachian Outreach Newsletter
January-April 2006
Appalachian Outreach Home Repair program sponsored four spring semester Saturday
Workdays for college students.
A.O. sponsored a spring break mission team (17 people) to Gulfport, Mississippi.
This was the third AO/BCM team to be sent to do Katrina Relief with over 200
students participating which were divided into 21 teams serving throughout
southern Mississippi. The first team went during Fall Break in October with 170
students participating another team of
A.O. hosted four mission groups during the spring semester (who served of one
week each) from Edgewood Baptist Church, Jackson, Tn. (27 volunteers); College
Park Baptist Church, Orlando, Fla. (41); Williams Baptist College, Ark. (8);
Hermitage Baptist Church, Old Hickory, Tn. (20).
During Jan.-March 2006, Appalachian Outreach and Samaritan House housed 13
families (17 adults, 10 children), served 1350 hot meals, provided clothing for
1389 families, gave 1253 food baskets, and furnished 556 furniture items.
Weekly Worship and Bible Studies were conducted at the Samaritan House for
residence and AO clients from the community.
AO partnered with and hosted the Jefferson County High School Leadership Team
and the Jefferson County (adult) Leadership Team.
Backyard Bible Clubs were conducted at the Boy and Girl’s Clubs
AO participated in Mission Fairs at FBC of Talbott, Tenn. and FBC Cape
Girardeau, Missouri.
Coming events this summer include:
AO Summer Ministry with 29 churches (532 volunteers) coming from ten states who
will give a week’s ministry with home repair and AO Center ministry. Eleven
college student missionaries have been selected to help supervise the summer
ministries.
Tenn. Fellowship of the Blind will participate with a Community Wide Appalachian
Outreach Walk-a-thon fundraiser on July 15th.
2006 Group Mission Project Schedule
March 11-16, 2006 (Alpha Baptist Church*)
· College Park Baptist Church (Orlando, FL) 41
March 19-22, 2006
· Englewood Baptist Church (Jackson, TN) 27
March 20-24, 2006 (Oakland Methodist Church*)
· Williams Baptist College of Arkansas 8
April 29, 2006 (rain date May)
· Bearden United Methodist (Knoxville, TN) 20
May 12-13, 2006
· Hermitage Hills Baptist Church (Old Hickory, TN) 20
June 4-9, 2006 – FBC, Dandridge*
· West Hills Baptist Church (Knoxville, TN ) 20
· FBC Bay St. Louis (Bay St. Louis, MS) 6
· Crossroads Baptist Church (Arlington, TN) 10
· FBC of Englewood (Englewood, TN) 30
Total 66
June 11-16, 2006 – New Market Baptist Church*
· Wilhite Baptist Church (Cookeville, TN) 40
· Ephesus Baptist Church (Winston, GA) 25
Total 65
June 18-23, 2006 – First United Methodist Church*
· Coats United Methodist Church (Coats, NC) 15
· First United Methodist (Jefferson City, TN) 20
· Trinity Baptist Church (Seneca, SC) 15
· Faith Lutheran Church (St. Louis, MO) 20
Total 70
June 25-30, 2006 – FBC, Jefferson City*
· New Duck River Association (Fayetteville, TN) 15
· King’s Cross Sports Camp (Tullahoma, TN) 60
· First Baptist Church (Jefferson City, TN) 10
· Greeneville Baptist (Greeneville, VA) 7
· First Baptist Church (Salisbury, NC) 14
· First Baptist Church (Jefferson City, TN) 10
Total 116
July 2-7, 2006 – Emmanuel Baptist Church*
· St. Margaret Catholic Church (Pittsburgh, PA) 50
· Melrose Baptist Church (Roanoke, VA) 19
· Emmanuel Baptist Church (Jefferson City, TN) 10
Total 79
July 9-14, 2006 – First Presbyterian Church*
· FBC New Bern (New Bern, NC) 26
· Temple Baptist Church (New Bern, NC) 20
· Mt. Moriah Baptist Church (Lewisburg, TN) 18
· FBC Hampton (Hampton, SC) 14
· Blind Fellowship Mission Project/Walk (14-16) ??
Total 78+
July 16-21, 2006 – New Blackwell Baptist Church* (Rutledge, TN)
· FBC Radford (Radford, VA) 10
· Lynnwood Baptist Church 2
Total 12
July 23-28, 2006 – Holy Trinity Catholic Church*
· FBC Roswell (Roswell, GA) 20
· FBC Henderson (Henderson, NC) 35
· Holy Trinity Catholic Church (Jefferson City, TN) 10
Total 65
August 20-25, 2006
· Southeast Baptist Church (Greensboro, NC) 10
Total 10
____________________________
Subtotal for summer 561
Total for year 677
* Host Churches (breakfast, dinner and evening share/worship at their church)
Spring, 2005
A Beautiful Person...
This article
has been copied from an article written in the Tennessee Baptist and Reflector
this past December.
An anonymous donor made it possible for these children to be warm this winter.
|
The temperature will drop into the upper teens in East Tennessee by the end of this week. But the colder it gets outside, the warmer it gets in Elizabeth Forry’s heart because she knows what love can do. As Appalachian Outreach ministry center coordinator, Elizabeth oversees an English as a Second Language tutorial program at Jefferson Elementary School. Each Wednesday after school, seven Carson-Newman College students volunteer to tutor Hispanic children. The sessions are split between helping the children with homework, which takes about an hour, and another hour on the playground. “The same 16 children come every week,” said Forry. “And they eagerly hug their favorite C-N student. We have all formed special friendships with them.” By October, trips to the playground depended on the weather, and just a month later they all but stopped. “With the temperatures dropping, the children had to stay inside because it was just too cold for them,” she added. In November, A.O. Director, Jean-Ann Washam took a phone call from someone asking if the ministry had a particular need they could fill. “Most of the families represented by kids in after-school tutoring simply do not have the money to afford winter wear,” noted Washam. “So we figured that 16 new coats was a serious need.” Once the coats were purchased, Forry’s Wednesday afternoon volunteers decided a party was in order. For each child, they filled a bag with goodies like dolls and cars, crayons, and stuffed animals. They had a surprise Christmas party, complete with cupcakes and chips. The bulk of the afternoon, however, was spent on the playground. Forry said she didn’t realize how much the gifts mattered until the day was over. “As we drove them home after the party,” she said, “I looked in the rearview mirror to see each of them tightly hugging their brand new coat.” |
 Elizabeth with one of the students in the after-school tutoring program after he received his winter coat. |
“There are three possibilities with the Great Commission. You can go. You can
send. Or you can be disobedient.
Ignoring the cause is not a Christian option.”
-John Piper
The Denton Family
The Denton family is one example of how the Samaritan House is being used by God to provide for and reach families. This family of five moved to East Tennessee to be closer to relatives after the father was involved in an automobile accident which ultimately caused him to lose his job. The mother’s income alone was not enough for the family to meet their financial responsibilities, and they lost their home.
When this family of five arrived in our area, the father found work quickly at a local factory. The family applied for housing but the long waiting list made it impossible to stay with their relatives, so the Samaritan House became their home.
The three children immediately began helping around the shelter, and like most children, they enjoyed spending time with college students who work and volunteer at the Samaritan House. The oldest boy was interested in computers, while his younger brother loved to draw race cars. The little sister was proud to be a “tomboy” and often asked to toss the football in the front yard. All the children had lost their bikes when they had to move, but God provided and they all received donated bicycles while here. In less than two weeks, the mother found a job, helping their savings grow.
Although everyone in the family was extremely cooperative and friendly, they did not claim any relationship with Jesus. During their stay, God provided many opportunities for them to not only hear about God’s love, but to see it demonstrated again and again. The children began to enjoy our Thursday Night Bible Study. The mother became a great help in the kitchen preparing for dinner on that night. The family enjoyed fellowship with many loving people, who also come for Bible Study, but there was a resistance to the idea of going to church and accepting God’s gift of salvation.
In time, the family shared with staff the bad experiences which had caused them to avoid church, and our staff was able to share what God’s Word says about His plan to help us, not harm us. God provided the Dentons a safe place to live, opportunities to regain some of what they lost, new jobs, and the chance to make new friends, but He also wanted them to come to know Him, the loving Father Who Provides. They were able to see the gifts from His hands and the gifts from His heart.
When the
Dentons left, they all committed to keeping in
touch. The mother and children expressed their desire to find a church, but the
father was only willing to “reconsider” his decision. The work is not done, but
we are thankful for what God allowed and we pray for a harvest to come in this
family.
A Tale of an ao workday...
The early morning sun was shining clear and crisp on what seemed like an ordinary Saturday morning in mid December. It was the kind of morning that when you look out the window you know its cold out, but the sunshine pouring through the blinds quickly makes you want to take that first step outside and take the deepest breath of cold, sweet air you possibly can. Most of the leaves in front of Carson-Newman’s Student Activity Center had fallen from the large oak tree, and everything seemed quite still and ordinary. But this Saturday was to be a special day for a number of CN students and particularly for one family in Morristown.
Students met in the SAC TV Lounge and had a devotion together and then the leaders told us what we would be doing for the workday. We would be replacing a whole section of shingles on the Martin’s home, and a smaller team would be working inside the house to repair the water damaged ceiling. Twenty-two students were present, including six members of the AO Council (a group of student leaders that helps plan and prepare for all the Saturday Workdays.) Randy Mellon, AO’s Home Repair Coordinator, was also there to mentor the volunteers and to supervise the progress of the project and everyone’s safety.
Our
little caravan of work vans and sedans got there around 9:30 a.m., and everyone
hopped out eager and ready to work, but as a tradition for AO workday, we all
took the first moments to meet the homeowners and to pray as a group for their
family. The Martin’s were an elderly couple and they both seemed excited to have
so many college kids in their living room. When Sam, one of the AO Council
members, finished praying, I noticed that Mrs. Martin’s eyes had watered, and I
was reminded once again of what a powerful ministry Appalachian Outreach has
been for those in our community who have felt hopeless.
The workday was a success in every way. At the end of the day, they had a brand new roof, but I believe we accomplished more than that. I know God used each person there to show the family how much He loves them. God also showed me His love through the Martin’s gentle spirit. Every time I volunteer at AO I can see how God’s love is a VERB. We are given the opportunity to be His hands and feet, and that opportunity is always a privilege and a blessing– I guarantee.
This semester AO Council
has scheduled five more Saturday Workdays. Please be in prayer for the students’
safety around the construction sites and especially for the families that have
applied for assistance. God has blessed AO and allowed it to grow, but there is
still no shortage of need in East Tennessee.
- Byron York
A Most Unusual Gift
This article has been reprinted from an article in the Tennessee Baptist and Reflector. It was originally written by Connie Davis.
Jean-Ann Washam, director of Appalachian Outreach, is asked a lot of questions about the ministry for needy people.
But perhaps none was more odd than, “ How
is your wood splitter feeling today?” This question was posed recently by John
Boyett of Holts Corner Baptist Church, Chapel Hill,
[TN.]
Washam had talked to Boyett a couple of weeks earlier. He is a youth worker who was investigating the ministry’s needs. Boyett and his wife, Melissa, work with about 18 youth at the church. He also is a fireman and he works at Home Depot. The church’s association, New Duck River Baptist Association, based in Shelbyville, has helped Appalachian Outreach for about four years.
When John Boyett first called the ministry, he learned about the need for volunteers to help split wood. Many people in the area depend on wood from the Baptist ministry to heat their homes, said Washam. The ministry receives wood from local tree trimming companies but it it too big to be used in homes. The ministry’s wood splitter “was not in good working order,” Washam told Boyett, so if the youth group camp, they should bring axes to use to split logs. Appalachian Outreach also could use the gift of axes, they added, since all of the axes they had were broken.
Boyett said after the phone conversation he received some promised information about Appalachian Outreach by mail. The Boyetts showed their youth group a video about Appalachian Outreach. That night, said John Boyett, the youth group decided to help Appalachian Outreach by giving it a new wood splitter. Boyett arranged for the ministry to pick up a new wood slitter at a local Home Depot.
Washam said the ministry’s wood splitter had been in disrepair for several years so the gift was a real answer to prayer. “I am grateful for a youth minister that is willing to challenge his youth to see beyond a humble request of axes to such a wonderful gift,” said Washam.
Boyett explained he and the youth group saw a need they could meet and responded. “That’s what we’re supposed to do. That’s what the Bible says.”
[ A quick update: The youth group visited this past February to try out the wood splitter they donated. The youth also donated money for Appalachian Outreach to use to buy food for the food pantry.]
“Comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from
God.
2 Corinthians
1:4
‘Tis Much Better To Give Than To Receive
Three
days before Christmas, “Christmas” was taken to a widow who is raising two
grandchildren with very little support. She had said that her grandchildren
would not have Christmas, due to medical expenses and other financial
difficulties. When a car load of Christmas presents and groceries was unloaded
at her house, she was surprised, overjoyed and very grateful. She said, “God
knew that we were not going to have Christmas. You are such a blessing.”
Christmas for them was donated by the local chapter of Mended Hearts,
Incorporated, thanks to the guidance of Appalachian
Outreach.
-John & Patsy Burton
Are You Listening, or Just Hearing?
Almost
five years ago my life changed drastically– I became a parent. Emma Grace was
born in May 2002 and then ten and a half months later along came Andrew “Seth.”
These two precious children have challenged me to be patient, to constantly
teach, and to have a new appreciation and understanding of unconditional love.
They have brought me closer to my Heavenly Father as I have sought His direction
and grown to appreciate His love for me as His child.
It seems each new encounter with my children is a learning experience for all of us. One such example occurred last summer. Seth was helping Shannon wash the car. Repeatedly, Shannon would say, “Seth, don’t get the water hose too close to the car, try not to drop the sponge on the ground and then rub the car, etc.” After about thirty minutes into the task, in frustration, Shannon looked at Seth and said, “Son, can you not hear me?’ Seth simply looked at Shannon as he was holding the water hose and replied, “Daddy, I can hear you– I’m just not listening.” Well, there were no more instructions at this point– only laughter.
The more I think about Seth’s comment, I am reminded of my relationship with our Heavenly Father. Often we find ourselves praying for God’s will in our lives. We toil over details, “should I buy this house,” “should I change jobs,” “should I agree to teach Sunday School?” The list is endless. I know God wants us to come to Him with these requests. However, I wonder how many times we really listen.
Is God calling you to become more involved with Appalachian Outreach? Please consider becoming a prayer partner. Not someone who agrees under pressure, but someone who will get on their knees and pray for the families we serve and the staff. Is God calling you to become a volunteer? It would be easy to say, “I don’t have the time.” I assure you even one hour a week will make a difference. Is God calling you to become a financial partner with A.O.? The truth is that God owns all of our resources. Will you be a part of His provision for this ministry? Is your response, “Daddy, I hear you but I am just not listening?” I am not sure that our Heavenly Father finds this response to Him as funny as Shannon and I did with Seth.
-Jean-Ann Washam
Samaritan
House met needs of area’s homeless in 2004
Reprinted from an article in
the Standard Banner newsletter.
It was originally written by Gayle Page.
A
good year at Samaritan House is any year the staff can look back and see the
positive difference the shelter’s ministry has made in the lives of local
people.
As a consequence of life’s unforeseeable circumstances, dozens of people have to rely on the helping hands Samaritan House staff workers have been providing for 19 years. Last year was no different.
Statistics show that in 2004, 43 families– including 59 adults and 53 children– found shelter and assistance at Samaritan House. But what the statistics don’t show is the hard work, dedication and caring of the people who work at Samaritan House that make the shelter feel like a safe haven to those in residence. To Director Jean-Ann Washam and shelter coordinator Angie Tullidge, the work feels more like a calling than a job.
“Our goal here is to lead people to Jesus, and to God’s Word as a guide for life,” said Tullidge. “Then they can develop the positive life skills they get from God.”
Samaritan House is a solidly uncompromising Christian ministry, put in place to serve not only people’s immediate physical needs, but to offer nurturing spiritual guidance and support, as well. Staff members are grateful for the many volunteers from the community and students from Carson-Newman who are willing to donate time and energy to help support the ministry.
The shelter’s creed is based on Matthew 25:35-40:
“’For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’
Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see you a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to You?’
The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’
Each Thursday evening, a special dinner is prepared and an adult Bible Study is held at the shelter, usually conducted by an area church group. Because their numbers have virtually outgrown the space at Samaritan House, the children are transported after the meal to Emmanuel Baptist Church where they take part in a Bible Study geared toward their age group.
Director Washam says although there has been a tremendous response from the community, more volunteers are always needed, welcomed and deeply appreciated. Local church bodies are amply rewarded by being a part of the support system for residents and former residents of Samaritan House.
“They can see that people with needs are not just a project, but they can become friends, “ Washam said. Many former residents return on their own to join in the weekly Bible Study sessions.
There was a generous outpouring throughout this past holiday season by area businesses, organizations, churches and individuals who brought toys for kids to put under the home’s Christmas tree. Washam and Tullidge agreed the shelter usually takes in more people just before and right after the holidays. The reasons are varied– families break up, people lose jobs, illness strikes, or some simply overspend at Christmas, leaving themselves short when it comes to paying rent and utilities.
Things have quieted down a little in the new year since four families recently vacated Samaritan House, but preparations go on for new families to arrive. Samaritan House and Appalachian Outreach Ministries share in the constant need for volunteers, donations of clothing, food, furniture and, of course, the growing need for financial funding. Washam wanted to especially thank Second Source resale shop for their enormous support this past year. Samaritan House has also recently received a benevolent gift of property adjoining the AO building on which someday a larger, more modern shelter might be built.
In March, Appalachian Outreach and Samaritan House joined in a celebration banquet at the Carson-Newman dining hall, to commemorate twenty years of service to the community.
For information on how you may become involved or help in some way, telephone: 475-5611 or 475-5032.
DO
YOU HAVE A DIGITAL CELL PHONE
THAT YOU ARE NO LONGER USING?
We have a program to recycle cell phones for cash. The program is much like the ink cartridge program in that you take the phones to the AO Ministry Center. After the phones are mailed in we get a check from the company for the ministry. If you have questions or would like to find out more about the program you can phone or email Jean-Ann Washam at (865) 475-5611 or AOutreach@cn.edu.
REMEMBER to save your ink cartridges for the ministries of A.O. It is a simple and easy way to raise funds. All you do is turn in your (empty) cartridges to the Appalachian Outreach Ministry Center and the cartridges are mailed in (postage free for us) to the company and in return the ministries get money! If you would like mailing materials or if you have questions you can contact Jean-Ann Washam, AO @ 475-5611.
Labels
for Education
Appalachian Outreach continues to collect Campbell’s Soup Labels for “Labels for Education.” We are collecting labels to cash in for a passenger van. We needs LOTS of labels…To be exact we need 1,500,000 labels. You can help us by saving your labels and sending them to us periodically. Ask your church, Sunday School class, Civic group, and everyone you know to also save their labels for us. Your help in this area is greatly appreciated.
The following is a list of the labels that can be used:
All Campbell’s soups, Campbell’s beans,
& tomato juice;
Prego
sauces;
Franco-American
Spaghetti O’s and pastas;
V8 Vegetable
and V8 Splash Juices;
Pepperidge Farm products;
Swanson
broth and canned poultry;
Pace
products.
Call Appalachian Outreach at (865) 475-5611 for more details or go to www.labelsforeducation.com for more eligible products.
Food Pantry
We need your church… Please consider getting your church involved to help keep our food pantry stocked by doing a monthly food drive.
Appalachian Outreach has ongoing needs for the following:
*Your prayers
*Your time as
a volunteer
*Canned food
items for the food pantry.
*Furniture/appliances in good condition.
*Household
cleaning supplies.
*Paper
products.
*Hygiene
products.
*Surplus
building supplies (lumber, trim, shingles, etc.).
*Monetary
donations.
Special Needs
Help is needed in the clothing ministry, sorting clothing.
Appalachian Outreach appreciates all of you who support this ministry with your prayers, financial support, and your volunteer time.