St. John's Local Community Outreach
Jerusalem
The community we live in, Aiken, South Carolina, is our modern day "Jerusalem." We strive to serve our neighbors here at home while still sending missionaries to the "ends of the earth." Here is a list of our local Kingdom partners.
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. Volunteers are needed. Opportunities to serve include the possibilities of being a receptionist, interviewer, grocery bagger, clothing sorter, donation receiver, and a 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.
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
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 to purchase their first home.
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.
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 in ways such as food service, children’s ministry, transportation needs within the community, and to support 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.
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.
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 websiteat http://helpinghandsaiken.org.
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 or Jan Gilbert at the church office (648-6891) to recommend a house or volunteer your services.
