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First Church of God Makes Community Service a Priority

Rev. Jeff Perkins

Rev. Jeff Perkins in the First Church of God’s permanent food pantry

The Rev. Jeff Perkins wants his church to be known as “the servingest group of people in town.” And his 600-member congregation at First Church of God is well on its way.

“Jesus came to serve. If we follow Jesus‚ we should serve‚” Perkins says. “I came here four years ago with a vision to see a revival of how this church serves the community. We want to make an impact.”

A program called Forty Days of Community began in 2005 at First Church of God. Thirty-seven small groups were formed‚ each charged with coming up with a mission project outside the church building.

One group came up with a com­munity baby shower for unwed pregnant teens. They collected baby clothes and other items and held a baby shower to give out the gear. Another group raised money to grant the wish of a beach trip for a child with a terminal illness; and another started a food pantry for the community with no government affiliation and no hoops to jump through. The food pantry has become a perma­nent fixture in a room in the church‚ and it has served about 180 families.

“We take their names and don’t ask for anything else‚” Perkins says. “A lot of really neat things have come out of that.”

Many of the small-group ministries formed in 2005 and led by Joanne McVey remain intact. Some have changed their focus but are still making a difference in the community. In 2006‚ the church received the Public Service Award from the Mt. Sterling-Montgom­ery County Chamber of Commerce.

“When people think of service‚ we want them to connect the dots and think of the First Church of God‚” Perkins says. “We want to be relevant and make a difference.”

Story by Nancy Humphrey
Photo by Greg Emens

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