Ministry of Hope

July 29, 2007

By J.J. Harrier

Frontiersman

PALMER- Rev. John Wilson loves his church and the people who make it strong, and he wants to give back what was given to him - hope.

Farm Loop Christian Center (FLCC) was built on a foundation of hope, especially for those without hope.

Built in 1972, FLCC began as a tiny nondenominational ministry devoted to the Palmer community. It was a place of worship. At first, it's primary use was as a place that held a weekly Bible study for farming families. The building was small, the numbers few at first, but after time the small church nestled between the colonial built farms and haystacks became an active part of the faith-based area.

The old pastor at the newly built church saw a need to spread hope and faith through Bible teachings by starting up a missionary group. In 1996, missions were sent to China, Tanzania and other parts of Africa to help spread the word of Christ, helping FLCC become a full-fledged ministry that now boasts a weekly fellowship of more than 200 people, all devoted to helping the church, each other and the community.

Today, FLCC still has mission families serving their duties in parts of the world not reached by many. One family is living in Jordan, providing training and biblical education for ex-patriots. But Rev. Wilson said the family also has a hidden purpose for its stay overseas: leading area Muslims to Christ.

Wilson said that the church's overall intent is helping others. Humility, as Wilson puts it, was and is the cornerstone to helping others who are in need of a borrowed hand. God's hand.

Wilson notes the mission of FLCC is to take the message of Jesus Christ to as many as possible, as far and as fast.

&#8220We're here to help change the lives of the people for good,” Wilson said.

With the church comes the many programs and ministries involved to spread this message of hope.

One of them, Heart of Hope, is a ministry dedicated to serving the community through helping others in any way possible. Clarrisa Melander is one of these volunteers who has been practicing the art of humility through Heart of Hope.

&#8220I have learned that being a nursing assistance for a disabled person can be quite costly,” Melander said. &#8220It makes for a family trying desperately to keep their loved one at home basically impossible.”

Melander and fellow church member and volunteer Jodie Otto head up Heart of Hope, recruiting members and skilled volunteers to provide services to people in the community who need assistance with day-to-day living.

Together, they work with and assist the elderly and disabled members in the community by reading to them, preparing their meals, assisting on outdoor walks, picking up prescriptions, and even sitting with them so care providers can run out and accomplish time-sensitive errands.

Heart of Hope also reaches out to single parents and those who need some time away with family or friends, helping by allowing them to go to a movie or dinner if they weren't able to afford a baby sitter.

The ministry provides additional transportation for those who would like to get to church on Sundays as well. All for free.

&#8220We are committed to showing our love to our community through our actions,” Melander said.

Another ministry active at FLCC is Helping Hands, a program aimed at helping those in the community in need of small home repairs.

Whether it is a fence that needs repair and the homeowner has no extra cash to pay someone to do the job, a leaky sink or someone in need of firewood for the winter, Melander said Helping Hands will provide what it can. Through church contributions and strong fellowship is how this type of service, excluding the purchase of materials, can be provided on a first come, first served basis.

Wilson noted that all of the church's ministries make up an all-arms program called Operation RISK.

&#8220I never was in the military, but always wanted to be,” Wilson said. &#8220This kind of makes up for it.”

RISK stands for Reaching out to Identify with the Population Serving their King.

&#8220It's my strong belief that laymen should be doing the ministry's work,” Wilson said. &#8220We equip them with the tools, God's message and send them out to perform a service to the community. It's a wonderful way for us to be giving back.”

Wilson said that FLCC's reasoning behind strong volunteered service work does not include pushing religion on those who need the help.

Their approach is &#8220that we care,” Wilson said, and his growing group of laymen have the hearts and desire to help people on their own.

&#8220There are no strings attached,” he said. &#8220People always ask that, ‘What do you want from me?' All I can say is that we want to help. That life hands you a bad hand at times, and we understand this. Our fellowship is merely carrying out the path which was already chosen for many of us.”

For more information on Helping Hands and Heart of Hope ministries and how you can receive assistance from these programs, contact the Farmer Loop Christian Center at 745-4851.