First Christian Church in Republic makes mission first a top priority. Starting in January 2016 the congregation began talking about ways they could make a difference within the community of Republic. The church looked around and realized that there were a lot of organizations already doing great work within the community, so they decided not to create something new, but to simply partner up and make a difference that way. The results have been amazing.
Children are a priority at FCC and because of that, the church has always adopted multiple families through People Helping People at Christmas time. The organization gives the church the names of persons in need, some with very large families. It is the desire of the church that no child feel left out at Christmas. Also the Disciples Women supply all the elementary schools with extra clothes for those children who have accidents and need something to wear home.
However, the outreach committee thought this wasn’t enough so they encouraged the church to do more and as a result, the church volunteers to serve a meal once a month at The Community Kitchen, a partner of Ozarks Food Harvest, whose mission is to feed the hungry in our community in a safe, respectful and caring environment. It has been so amazing watching different groups volunteer to fill the role each month. We completed a sock drive last winter for the youth of Rare Breed, a drop in center for teenagers of Springfield.
After working at The Community Kitchen, Outreach saw a need within our community, so they took things a step further and partnered with Crosslines to have their mobile food pantry come to the church in June and again in October. In October, 50 families received eggs, milk, fresh vegetables, bread, other perishables and non-perishables as well.
At First Christian Church of Republic, it is our mission to be a missional church to our community.
Story and photos courtesy of pastor Lee Young.