How do you make a clothes give-away more than just a clothes give-away? How do you use it for redemptive outreach in the name of Jesus? Smyrna Wesleyan Church asked this question when they planned the fourth annual give-away, and it turned into the largest outreach event of the year.
First, in this small town of Smyrna in northern Delaware, they made it a wider community effort, involving not only their church members, but people from other area churches, and even the Boy Scout troop that meets at their church. Sisters Who Care is the church’s ladies ministry, and they take the lead, collecting gently-used clothing from throughout the community to give to men, women, and children in need.
This year, the clothes distribution took place in a city park. Over 200 large boxes of clothing and many other items were given away. This required many volunteers to help not only with the give-away but also with the spiritual ministry that takes place.
Church members offer prayers and even spiritual counseling for any visitor who wishes. They also provide the people with their own Bibles, gospel tracts, and CDs with Christian music.
Smyrna Wesleyan Church has seized the opportunity to demonstrate Christ’s love to their community, building goodwill and meeting real needs, but just as important, they accompany that with intentional, redemptive outreach. It’s a wonderful blessing that this small church gets large numbers of volunteers to step up year after year to reach out.