December 17, 2001
Churches statewide offer Christmas help
___Ministries across the state are seeking to make Christmas merry for families who otherwise might find mirth in short supply.
___Mission Arlington is one of the state's largest benevolence ministries. An outreach of First Baptist Church in Arlington, the ministry is known for its Christmas store that provides thousands of families with presents for children who otherwise would not have them. Patrons also hear the story of Christ's birth in their native language.
___Mission Arlington is a year-round ministry, however, that also includes numerous Bible studies, clothing, food and money for housing and utilities among other minstries.
___Tillie Burgin, director of the ministry, recounted recently that a tearful, highly distraught woman came to the agency offering her furniture if she could be given money for an electric bill. She had become unemployed, had not been in the circumstance of being impoverished before and did not know what to do next.
___A man who was delivering toys to the ministry heard the woman's tearful tale and took her to pay the bill. Burgin said so many need help this year, including many who never have needed assistance before.
___Lake Arlington Baptist Church in Arlington assisted Mission Arlington with a donation of 22,760 pounds of food.
___"We believe there is plenty of food for everyone in Arlington, it's just a lot of it is still in the pantries of those who can afford to give it," said Ray Shannon, the church's associate pastor.
___This is the church's third year to collect food for the ministry, each year doubling what was collected the year before.
___"We would just like to see more churches get involved and help out," Shannon said.
___Forest Cove Baptist Church in Kingwood also is a major benefactor for families in financial crisis. Through its Mission Northeast ministry, more than 2,000 families were enabled to have a joyful Christmas.
___In addition to being able to choose gifts for family members, the gospel also was presented in English and Spanish, a children's nativity drama was performed, clowns and puppets performed, as well as youth choirs, musicians, mimes and storytellers. They also participated in singing carols and making craft projects.
___The Kingwood ministry, which grew out of a food pantry, now feeds, clothes and financially assists area residents year-round.
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