Valerie and I are now fully engaged in support-raising to bring AgapePoint Ministries to North City Church of Christ. The church is located in what is considered one of the rougher communities of St. Louis, presenting some wonderful opportunities for ministry as well as some considerable challenges. Our family will be moving into the rectory at North City in order to become a vital part of the community.
The church has already begun to reach out to the Mark Twain Community through members moving into the neighborhood, providing children's programs (including meals), and hosting community organizations and events. As we get acclimated to the area, we will initially help the church expand these efforts while developing small groups for discipleship. We are developing plans to intensively mentor some of the young men in the church as they become leaders and network with prison ministries to provide services for ex-cons and their families as they make the transition from prison to society. Down the road, we would like to provide a place of respite for struggling ministers and their families and help start a medical clinic for the community. There are additional opportunities to network and develop ministries in other locations and we are seeking people to partner with us to lead those ministries.
While the challenges we are facing today are greater than that which we have ever encountered before, so are the opportunities to shine the light and life of Jesus in the dark corners of our cities and world. And we are presently experiencing a greater interest from cities, employers, coorporations and families and communities than ever before in our ministry. But, we can not do it alone. We very much need your prayers and financial contributions to make this work possible. Your partnering in this ministry makes possible at least three distinct blessings: 1) you lay up treasure in heaven for yourself, 2) your financial gifts bless us in that we are free to minister full-time to needy children, families and communities, 3) and of course the blessing that goes out to those we have partnered to serve, the children, families, communities who prosper due to your share in the expression of our faith in Jesus!
We have determined that we need to raise $3500 per month for our family to live and minister in north St. Louis. This will allow us to take care of our expenses and truly focus on the work at hand. Would you consider partnering with us by sending a tax deductible contribution of $100/month for the next year? If 35 families respond to this plea, the need will be met and the ministry can move forward.
Certainly in these challenging economic times we realize that your contribution may be a very real sacrifice for you and your family. Yet, committing to this financial sacrifice has the potential to see a failing child graduate high school, a family at risk to become a family rooted in love, a community that is often listed as one of two cities (St. Louis & Detroit) in America with the highest crime might have the hope of something better. All this is done in in order that men, women and children might come to a saving relationship in Jesus.
Please then, join with us in ministering to the families of north city St. Louis, MO and St. Louis county. You may make your financial contribution to us as listed below. Might our Lord bless you and yours. And, I thank you for your support of AgapePoint and North City Church of Christ and all those with whom we serve and minister.
In Christ Jesus,
Keith C. Brown
Evangelist
Financial Support can be made out to:
North City Church of Christ is a 501 (c) 3 organization