St. John's Local Community Outreach
1. Aiken Community Outreach Ministry (ACOM)
2. Aiken Pregnancy Care Center
3. Area Churches Together Serving (ACTS)
4. Christ Central of Aiken
5. Grace Kitchen
6. Habitat for Humanity of Aiken County
7. Helping Hands
8.Jack Meeks Memorial Wheelchair Ramp Ministry
9.Stand at the Crossroads Ministry/ My Father’s House
10. Salkehatchie (Sand River)
Jerusalem
1. Aiken Community Outreach Ministry (ACOM)
Information: ACOM will serve homeless ex-offenders by providing transitional housing and several support services including case management, job training, placement services, and Biblical discipleship through volunteer mentors. ACOM will help provide its residents with the resources they need to become productive citizens and to reintegrate themselves into the community without reverting to self-destructive patterns of behavior.
How St. John’s is Involved with ACOM: St John’s partnership began in 2006 as a result of participation in Kairos Prison ministry with approximately seven area local churches and the City of Aiken to establish transitional housing for ex-offenders in Aiken. There are now fifteen churches serving in partnership with ACOM. They have already purchased their first home and are looking to purchase a second home to be used for transitional housing.
Interested in Volunteering: ACOM is in search for land to build on or established homes available that meet the needs of ACOM and its residents. There are opportunities to serve by mentoring through long-term teams.
Contact: Call St. John’s member Dave Kelly (295-7143) for more information. You may e-mail ACOM directly at aikencommunityoutreachministry@yahoo.com or visit their web site: http://acomaiken.com
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2. Aiken Pregnancy Care Center
Information: Aiken Pregnancy Care Center is a non-profit Christian based organization that strives to share the love of Christ by supporting women, especially young adults, teens, and adolescents. They offer free pregnancy tests, classes educating women on pregnancy and child bearing, and counseling for distressed young women. Aiken Pregnancy Care Center strives to give guidance to teenagers through “retreats focusing on purity of heart, mind, and body.”
How St. John’s is Involved with Aiken Pregnancy Care Center: We have helped to financially support this Christ centered ministry especially because they are unable to receive government funding.
Interested in Volunteering: Aiken Pregnancy Care Center is in need of volunteers to help with fundraisers such as the Baby Bottle Campaign, Life Walk, and Spring Banquet. Every three months, volunteers are encouraged to help plan and support baby showers at the center or at an off-site location. Building the Body of Christ is the main goal of the center. Another primary focus is to help young mothers receive supplies needed to raise children. The Aiken Pregnancy Care Center can always use the service of volunteers and donations to help the ministry positively impact the community of Aiken.
Contact: Call the Aiken Pregnancy Care Center office at 649-9890 for more information or to schedule a time to volunteer. Email them at aikenpregnancy@bellsouth.com or visit their website, http://www.aikenpregnancy.org
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3. Area Churches Together Serving (ACTS)
Information: ACTS mission “is to give temporary and/or emergency aid, in the name of Christ, to persons in need in the Aiken, SC area.” They provide the community with food, clothing, home furnishings, and assistance in paying utility bills. ACTS was founded in partnership between sixteen local churches in 1986. The non-profit organization has continued to grow providing 1.8 million meals along the way.
How St. John’s is Involved with ACTS: St. John’s was one of the founding churches, and throughout the years, we have supported this ministry by providing volunteers and financial assistance. On the first Sunday of every month, St. John’s collects non-perishable food items as a part of our morning offerings to give to ACTS.
Interested in Volunteering: One of their greatest needs is for individuals to lift ACTS up in prayer so they may continue to spread the love of Jesus Christ. Many types of volunteers are needed. Opportunities to serve include: receptionist, interviewer, grocery bagger, clothing sorter, donation receiver, and clerk in the retail store. ACTS offers training so that anyone may help them in serving the needy of Aiken, SC. People may also assist them by providing a personal donation. St. John’s is a financial partner with ACTS as well.
Contact: Call the ACTS office at 649-3800 for more information or to talk to a Volunteer Coordinator. Or email them at actsoperations@bellsouth.net or visit their website, www.actsofaiken.org, for more information.
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4. Christ Central of Aiken
Information: Christ Central is a Christian ministry focused on feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, and caring for the sick (Mt. 25: 3-36). They are an organization that strives to bring a sense of hope to the community by not just distributing supplies, but by building relationships and taking care of one another in the name of Christ. Christ Central offers food, shelter, counseling, learning opportunities, and worship services to the community. They are a non-profit organization whose primary purpose is to spread the love of Jesus Christ.
How St. John’s is Involved with Christ Central: St. John’s has been in partnership with Christ Central since 2003. We have helped serve food, participate in children’s programs, and lead Bible studies. St. John’s is a financial partner with Christ Central.
Interested in Volunteering: Christ Central offers an array of opportunities to volunteer, such as food service, children’s ministry, transportation needs within the community, and support for the food staff. During the summer months, fans and room air conditioners are needed. The winter months bring a high demand for heaters, blankets, warm clothes, and jackets. Food donations are always in need.
Contact: Call 640-1708 for more information or to volunteer. Email them at jfloyd0463@aol.com, or visit their website at www.christcentralaiken.com.
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5. Grace Kitchen
Information: The purpose of Grace Kitchen is to provide breakfast every Saturday morning from 8-9:00 AM for the hungry and less fortunate. Grace Kitchen began serving breakfast for the first time on August 2, 2008 in Ward Hall. In addition to physical nourishment, patrons are also offered spiritual encouragement. Each place setting includes an explanation of the cross and individuals are given an opportunity to take home a Bible.
How St. John’s is Involved with Grace Kitchen: Originally conceived by two of St. John's youth, Thomas Osteen and Jimmy Rodgers, the pair enlisted the help of Bobby Coker to help turn their idea into reality. The ministry now serves over 50 people each Saturday morning and offers take out meals for those who need them.
Interested in Volunteering: Grace Kitchen now has eleven groups of volunteers who take turns serving each Saturday morning. Extra volunteers are always welcomed. In addition, the ministry is seeking donations of Bibles (either new or used) to distribute.
Contact: Call or email St. John’s member Bobby Coker at 649-1511 or bobby_coker@bellsouth.net if you are interested in volunteering or donating Bibles to the cause.
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6. Habitat for Humanity of Aiken County
Information: Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit ecumenical Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate substandard and poverty housing in Aiken County. Linda Fuller founded Habitat for Humanity International in Americus, Georgia during 1976. The Aiken County affiliate was formed in 1988. St. John’s played a critical role in starting this ministry. To date, we still provide many volunteers and supplies, which help Habitat to continue making a positive impact within our community.
How St. John’s is Involved with Habitat: We provide volunteers and funding for various Habitat projects and we periodically sponsor a portion of a home with funds and workers.
Interested in Volunteering: To view all of the many opportunities to serve through Habitat, go the Volunteer Opportunities section of the Habitat website at: http://habitataiken.org/pdf/volopportunities.pdf. Their primary needs are for people to serve on various committees such as publicity, church relations, fundraising, business relations, family selection, family support, etc. Volunteers are also needed to pick up donated items, work in the resale store, and lead devotions, prayers, or communion at building sites.
Contact: Call the Habitat office at 642-9295 for more information or talk to a Volunteer Coordinator. Email them at habitataiken@bellsouth.net or visit their website at www.habitataiken.org.
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7. Helping Hands
Information: Helping Hands is a non-profit organization in Aiken, SC that houses and takes care of children that have been removed from their homes by the South Carolina Department of Social Services or Department of Juvenile Justice. Their mission is to “work unselfishly to ensure that all children are afforded every opportunity to grow into healthy adults.” Helping Hands was formed in 1973 because there was nowhere to house neglected, abandoned, or abused children except at the county jail.
How St. John’s is Involved with Helping Hands: Members of St. John's helped to found Helping Hands in 1973. We have continued to assist in funding Helping Hands while volunteering our time to help the children.
Interested in Volunteering: Helping Hands is always in need of supplies which enable the children to live comfortably in a loving environment. The website contains a Wish List at http://helpinghandsaiken.org/hhwishlist.html. Volunteers are continually in demand and training is provided by Helping Hands.
Contact: Call the Helping Hands office at 648-3456 for more information or talk to a Volunteer Coordinator. Email them at admin@helpinghandsaiken.org or visit their website: http://helpinghandsaiken.org.
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8. Jack Meeks Memorial Wheelchair Ramp Ministry
Information: St. John’s offers wheelchair ramps for individuals in the Greater Aiken Area. The church has been building ramps for disabled people within our community since 1997. This ministry is coordinated and run by volunteers from the St. John’s congregation.
How St. John’s is Involved with Ramp Ministry: We began this ministry as a church project to assist individuals in need and have continued to financially support since its conception.
Interested in Volunteering: The ramp ministry can always use donations of supplies and financial assistance.
Contact: Call Harry Sampson at the church office (648-6891) or email him at harry.sampson@stjohns-umc.org to recommend a house or volunteer your services.
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9. Stand at the Crossroads Ministry/ My Father’s House
Information: Stand at the Crossroads Ministry is an organization designed to help, encourage and support those with low incomes and/or those in destructive, unhealthy lifestyles. Started by Deborah Lamb in 2007, she also has a related ministry, My Father’s House, which provides transitional housing for single women. Residents are required to participate in a five phase program to self sufficiency.
How St. John’s is Involved with Stand at the Crossroads Ministry: St. John’s partnered with Deborah Lamb and both her ministries following her participation in the 2009 GIC. We provide financial support through Faith Promise funding as well as encourage members to volunteer.
Interested in Volunteering: Stand at the Crossroads Ministry and My Father’s House are always in need of mentors, construction help and donations of supplies.
Contact: Call Deborah Lamb at 502-0285 or email her at hislamb71@hotmail.com for more information or to volunteer your services.
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10. Salkehatchie: (Sand River)
Information: Salkehatchie Summer Service is a pioneering servant ministry at selected sites in South Carolina involving high school and college age youth, adult community leaders and persons of different cultures in upgrading housing, motivating community cooperative efforts by helping persons to help themselves, and providing all participants with opportunities for personal growth and service. See the Salkehatchie (PeeDee and Santee) section of our Judea web site for additional information.
How Can You Help?
· Volunteer - Youth willing to work and adults with skills to share are needed.
· Donate Supplies - Lumber, paint, caulking, plywood, linoleum, paneling, nails, etc. may be brought to individual camps.
· Financial Support - Cash contributions are needed and appreciated. Registration fees and conference benevolences do not cover all of our costs.
How St. John’s is Involved with Salkehatchie: The youth of St. John’s, along with adult participants, have been participating in Salkehatchie trips for many years, most notably the Pee Dee, Santee, and Sand River camps.
Interested in Volunteering: Salkehatchie is always looking for volunteers to participate in their activities. Call Gene Aiken at the church office (648-6891) or email him at gene.aiken@stjohns-umc.org for answers to most questions regarding volunteering.
Contact: You may visit their website at www.salkehatchie.org for more information.
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