Here is an ever-growing list of churches that I feel very strongly that they should be included on a "Hall of Fame" list since they really show compassion to the people in need in their communities. Along with the church name and location, there is a short description of what the church does to show compassion.

ALDERSGATE (UNITED METHODIST) CHURCH - Jackson, MS

The church has a program called "A Mouse in the House". This is a computer lab that serves both the community and the congregation. There is a computer lab set up with six computer labs with high-speed internet access. Trained volunteers from the church offer after-school tutoring to students from neighboring schools. The students are referred through their school's administrators. Church members learn new skills during free computer classes. As a sideline to this, younger congregation members prepare and present computer-generated presentations during worship services.

ARLINGTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - Arlington, VA

The church has an extensive "Without Walls" Mission & Outreach program. Church has a parish nurse. It provides bagged meals for the local homeless program (ASPAN - Arlington Street People's Assistance Network). They have an ESL program. Church has a food pantry. It provides cookies for the Kairos Prison Ministry. During the Christmas season, it has a Angel Tree and also provides a Christmas Eve Homeless Dinner. It takes part in "Sole Fest" (collecting shoes for impoverished areas of the world (the church goal was to collect 600 pairs of shoes)). Also, the youth take part in "Operation Teddy Bear", which is the collection of new and gently used stuff animals and other toys for orphanages in developing countries.

BRENTWOOD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - Brentwood, TN

The church hosts a free, weekly "Career Transitions Support Group" that is open to all members of the community. Also, the church has a room where participants of the group can come in to use a computer, ofice tools, and telephone during their job search.

CALVARY EPISCOPAL CHURCH - Americus, GA

This small church has a food pantry.

Christ, Prince of Peace Catholic Church - Ford City, PA

This church also has an extensive Health ministry with parish nurses. The parish nurses help individuals by Assessing the home bound for community resource needs, Offering support programs for dealing with grief, Providing information on a health related problem, and Offering health promotion programs. Volunteers are also available for friendly visits, help with insurance forms, caretaker relief, phone reassurance, bereavement visits, shopping for groceries, and transportation to medical appointments.

DAYSTAR CHURCH OF GOD - Bandon, OR

I am sorry to see that this church has been disbanded because the pastor had moved away but I want to keep it listed because of it's the great social ministries that it had. I learned of the closure in January, 2007. The last time I visited Bandon, Oregon in 2004, the church had a membership of less than three dozen members and a part-time minister. Even with this low number of membership, the church had a clothes closet, food bank, and a short-term housing ministry. These ministries are housed in two single-wide trailors behind the church.

Corpus Christi Catholic Church - Chatham, New Jersey

"Faith in Action" is a ministry within the parish that provides interim assistance to our parishioners in need. Some of the services provided include rides to doctors, dentists, hospital out-patient, post office, supermarket, and meals.

EAST HOWARD BAPTIST CHURCH - Biloxi, MS

This small church has a food pantry and clothes closet. During it's relief work after Hurricane Katrina, the church expanded it's give away to bedding, dishes, eating utensils, cooking items, and toiletries.

On Friday nights, they provide a meal for the homeless and anybody else who needs one.

FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD - Thompson Falls, MT

This church has a food bank and a housing ministry. They have turned an unused classroom in their church into a place of respite for people. The church members also provide simple auto and home repair to those in need.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH - Canton, SD

This church provides a small food pantry for the people in need in the community. The church is also thinking about setting up an "Elisha Den" (a place where one can stay temporarily in the church).

First Baptist Church - Hazel Green, AL

Has a special program to provide respite care for parents of special needs children and their siblings.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH - Mary Esther, FL

This church has a food pantry.

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH - Ft. Wayne, IN

This church in the western section of Fort Wayne has a special program for newborn babies and expectant mothers. They have a "Baby Boutique". Items are purchased with tickets received because of medical check-ups, pre-natal counseling, etc. The church also has a food pantry.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - Wetumpka, AL

This church has a housing ministry. They have turned an unused classroom in their Christian Education Building into a place of respite for people. There are two fold-out sofas, bedding and linen kept in a chest, a tv, and an aircondtioning-heater unit. The bathrooms on the main floor have showers and the church provides towels and toiletries. The kitchen is also stocked with food. People can stay there three nights.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - Orlando, FL

This church has ministry programs for :
Adult Literacy,
Backpacks for Middle School Students (Volunteers collect backpacks and school supplies during the summer for distribution to students at a middle school with a number of children on free or reduced lunches),
Bicycle Ministry Team (The team consists of women, men and youth who enjoy bike riding. The group meets for a monthly ride and other activities. The Team becomes a witness to others who see them rising around Orlando as a group from First Church. They also have given bikes to those in need of transportation and to youth),
Coalition for the Homeless Monthly Meals (Volunteers help prepare and serve a dinner to resident at the Coalition's Family Center on the first Monday of each month),
Feed The Need (Volunteers gather food from the collection bins located throughout the church campus. They sort and package the food into "Feed a Family" food kits for distribution to Ferncreek, Lancaster, Eccleston and Pineloch elementary schools and Salvation Army, Christian Service Center, Coalition for the Homeless and Harbor House community agencies),
First Friends (They provide transportation to a doctor, the grocery store, to physical therapy. In a time of family crisis, on a short-term basis, they can provide meals, run errands, transport children to school or activities, help with other practical needs, do some yard work. Also they will provide non-medical respite care for people who are caregivers for a family member so that person can have some respite.),
Helping Hands (Members assists with chores, painting, lawn work and maintenance for individual groups that need help),
Interfaith Hospitality Network ("IHN") of Orange and Seminole Counties is composed of host and support congregations that provide volunteers, overnight accommodations, and meals at churches for 3 or 4 homeless families with children (maximum of 14 people) who are trying to make a fresh start. First United Methodist Church of Orlando has participated in IHN since July 2003 and has hosted a total of 14 weeks since that time.,
Meals Ministry (Group shares God's love through a friendly hello and a warm casserole or meal),
Mentoring program for children in the Orange County Public School System,
Nursing Home Visitation,
Outreach Love Tutoring (Group tutors for children from Fern Creek Elementary School),
Parish Nurse Ministry,
Sewing Ministry (Group provides new clothing for needy children in our community),
Transportation Ministry (Group provides transportation to both church members and others in the community who cannot drive and/or have no appropriate transportation available),
Used Car Ministry,
Wednesday Evening Tutors and Instructors

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - Titusville, FL

This church has a small food pantry.

Ginghamsburg Methodist Church - Tipp City, OH

This church has a large number of compassion ministries through it's "New Path Outreach Program". Its outreach ministries include a food pantry, car ministry, clothing through the "Gingham Clothesline", furniture ministry, transitional housing and limited financial assistance.

GLENVIEW CHURCH OF THE NAZERENE - Glen Carbon, IL

This church provides a small food pantry for the people in need in the community.

IMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH - Ft. Lauderdale, FL

After conducting a survey to discover the needs of their community, which is 80% Hatian, the church has opened a clothes closet, food pantry, and medical and eye clinics.

MAIN STREET UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - Waynesboro, VA

This church provides a small food pantry for the people in need in the community.

Matthews United Methodist Church - Greenwood, SC

The church has had a Congregational Nurse on staff since 2001. The nurse provides Blood Pressure Screenings; Health Education; Home, Hospital, and Nursing Home Visits; Assistance with Lifestyle Changes; Assessment of Healthcare Needs; Referral to Community Resources; and Provides Health Information.

NEW HOPE ASSEMBLY OF G-D CHURCH - Savanna, IL

This church provides a small food pantry for the people in need in the community.

New Hope Community Church - Loudonville, OH

This church has several wonderful compassion ministries. New Hope's Blanket Ministry meets once a month. They make blankets for babies, graduating seniors and hospital patients. KIA is Kindness In Action. It is a way for the church members to help those in our community and to help them experience God's Unconditional Love while doing so.

The Christian Center - Arab, AL

On the third Wednesday of each month, the center gives out food to least 100 families.

Our Lady of the Holy Angels Catholic Church - Little Falls, MN

One of the compassion ministries of the church is the "CARES" ministry. It exists to be a link between parish members who are homebound / sick and active members of the parish. The most important role of this ministry is to help strengthen the spiritual life of homebound/sick at a time when they lose the opportunity to attend church on a regular basis. Besides bringing the Eucharist, the members of the CARES ministry provide other services: send special occasion cards, provide occasional transportation to doctor appointments, shopping, or to visit loved ones in nursing homes or hospitals in the absence of family members. Also, the parish has a limited number of volunteers who are willing to drive parishoners in need of transportation. They try to accomodate those who need to see a doctor; wish to visit someone in a nearby hospital / nursing home and have no one else to drive them; and also try to assist those who need someone to do food shopping.

Riverbluff Church - North Charleston, SC

They have a unique Cars Ministry for single mothers. People donate any unneeded vehicles (cars, trucks, motorcycles, RV's, campers, boats, etc.) to the church and the proceeds of the sales of these vehicles help purchase good cars for single mothers.

ST. JOHN'S CATHOLIC CHURCH - Nolansville, TN

This church has an "Elisha Den" in the basement. This is a furnished studio apartment with a shower and a fully-stocked kitchen.

St. Luke's Episcopal Church - Atascadero, California

Started the Atascadero Loaves and Fishes organization that provides short-term emergency assistance to those in need in Atascadero, Santa Margarita, Creston and Templeton. The church collects non-perishible food, money and baby items for the organization. Also, the church is a member of the ECHO El Camino Homeless Organization by providing and serving meals on the first Monday of each month .

ST. MATTHEWS EVANGELCAL LUTHERAN CHURCH - Charleston, SC

The church has many ministries through it's Community Outreach Center. Some of the many programs are: "After School" kids tutoring, Computer training classes, Emergency food pantry, English as a second language, Health screenings, Kids Cafe, Qualilty Time Alzheimer's Care, School readiness camp, Sharing With A Neighbor, The Cinderella Prom Project, Tot's Morning Out, etc.

St. Nicholas Church of the Flower - Mound Texas

As a way to welcome visitors to the church, church members bake small loaves of bread and give them to the visitors. The church also has a "Make A Difference Day".

St. Thomas The Apostle Roman Catholic Church - Rochester, NY

This church has several wonderful compassion ministries. Penny Sunday - Collecting "pennies" on a given Sunday, which are used to support a child in an underdeveloped country. Weekly "Food Basket" collection - about 100 pounds (2.5 tons a year) of food are delivered weekly to Catholic Family Center's food cupboard. October "Make-A-Difference" day - personal care items collected for Catholic Family Center and St. Andrew's Food Cupboard. Sock Sunday - collect new socks for the shelters. Advent "Giving Tree" gift collection. There are several more but these are the best.

THE VINE FELLOWSHIP - Arlington, TX

This church provides a wide variety of outreach ministries. Before Christmas, the church has an Angel Tree. Before school starts in the Fall, the church gives out free school backpacks filled with school supplies (Operation Backpack). During the school year, teacher can come to the church to get free supplies from the teacher supply closet. The church has a food pantry. They also have a special ministry called "Thanksgiving in A Bag".

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - Bozeman, MT

This church provides a wide range of "compassion ministries". There is a shower ministry that provides towels and toiletries. Parish nurses provide free check-ups on Saturdays. There is a mobile soup kitchen. Church women have a casserole and soup ministry where they prepare casseroles and soups, freeze them, and then provide them to church families where there is an illness. This summer, the high school youth group designated Bozeman as their mission project and provided free hugs and meals to those in need.

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - Currituck, NC

This church has a food bank.

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - Pulallup, WA

The church believes that there is a connection between a healthy body, mind, and spirit. The church prepares first-aid kits and provides monthly blood pressure checks. There is an informational bulletin on health. Also, the church conducts health fairs.

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - Van Horn, TX

This church has taken over the old Greyhound bus station and turned it for a place of refuge for travelors in need. There is a small clothes closet and food bank. Meals are prepared in the kitchen. Church members volunteer to staff the center.

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - Wetumpka, AL

The church provides a Thanksgiving meal for those in need. Along with the meal, there is a chance to get a warm jacket. This church also has a food bank.

Vista Ridge Vineyard Church - Lewisville, TX

This church has several compassion ministries. Homeless Ministry - On the 1st Saturday of each month, members of the church meet to demonstrate G-D's love in a very practical way by distributing small items to the homeless in downtown Dallas. They caravan downtown and distribute the accumulated donations from the Vista Ridge Vineyard directly to those in need. Also, church members joins with our friends and church support ministry, Blood and Fire, on the third Saturday of each month in East Dallas. Blood and Fire host a barbecue at noon every month at Fitzhugh and Columbia behind Danal's Grocery Store.

The church is also a chapter of Servant Evangelism. Church members have distributed light bulbs to folks around the church. They knocked on doors of approximately 100 homes distributing light bulbs and letting the light of the L-RD shine! Ice cold bottles of water were delivered around the community. Other church members went to the Dallas/Ft. Worth International airport and served the sky caps bottles of water.

Wesley United Methodist Fellowship - Augusta, GA

This church has a large number of compassion ministries:
Bicycle Ministry (Collects and reconditions bicycles for distribution through Augusta Urban Ministries),
Coat Ministry (Collects coats and sweaters for distribution through Augusta Urban Ministries),
Compassion In Action (Along with members of the community help construct homes for a local family in need),
Faith Care Clinic (serves the needs of the medically underserved in Columbia County through twice monthly clinics)
Interfaith Hospitality Network,
Mechanics Ministry (Accepts vehicles and gets them in working order for donation to deserving clients located through area agencies.),Men In Mission (Weekly breakfast group doing various local “handyman” tasks for local needs.),
Sonshine Stitchers (Make stuffed animals for St. Joseph’s Hospital and MCG emergency rooms. They’ve given away over 14,000 animals in 9 ˝ years)

West Nashville Church of Grace - Nashville, TN.

To better serve the needs of the community, the church has opened "Samaritan's Storehouse". The storehouse is initially stocked with clothing, groceries, and household items. When possible, they will give out appliances. Also they will help with utility and housing bills as they are able to.

This a just a short list but they are some great examples of what a "compassionate church" is like. If you know of a church that has a great compassion ministry, please email me and I would gladly add that church to the list. As stated in the title of this section, there will be a page of reasons why churches are not compassionate. HERE is the page.

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