Village Bible touches community through outreach ministries
Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Village Bible Evangelical Free Church at Town Center in Bella Vista is a faith community concerned with both the spiritual and physical needs of people in the community.
We believe that we are commissioned by Christ to be His representatives in this community, said Mark Voll, pastor of the church. We try to do that as individuals who follow Jesus Christ and also as the body of Christ serving together.
One of the churchs primary outreach ministries is the Oasis Food Pantry. The food pantry has been serving area individuals and families since 2004.
Food is donated by people in the congregation, from other churches, individuals in the community and occasionally groups or businesses, such as Cooper Elementary School, Curves, Ambassadors for Christ Academy and Meals on Wheels. The church also makes purchases from the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank.
As civic groups and other churches are learning about this outreach, they are helping with food donations. Though based here (at Village Bible ), we dont feel that it has to be or even can be our ministry alone. We love to have partners, said Denise Conyers, who coordinates the ministry.
The Oasis Food Pantry is open Wednesdays from 10 a. m. to 1 p. m. Typically, around 30 families representing about 120 people are served each week.
We give to others what God has provided for us to give away, Conyers explained. The quantity and items distributed varies from week to week according to what we have on hand. But generally speaking, were able to provide canned goods, some meat, cereal, snacks, personal items and sometimes household supplies.
Another outreach ministry of the church is a Good News Club, which just started meeting at Cooper Elementary School on Tuesdays from 3 p. m. to 4: 30 p. m. This club is open to all kids, regardless of church affiliation, in grades 2-4. Each meeting includes singing, a Bible lesson and a Scripture memory verse. As the kids learn their verses, they earn stickers and access to a treasure chest of prizes.
As with the food pantry, volunteers from other churches assist with the Good News Club.
Village Bible Evangelical Free Church also extends its outreach ministries to Concordia Care Center and Village House Adult Day Program in Bella Vista and The Meadows in Bentonville.
Voll said he is excited that the church is continuing to develop an expanded vision and strategy for being even more involved in the community, living out its love for God and neighbor.
For more information, call the church at 876-5764, or send an e-mail to vbefc @ sbcglobal. net.
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