Thanks to the Helping Hands Benevolence Fund, our church has been able to be a vessel of comfort and restoration in our community of Lebanon, PA. This fund has truly been a response from God for families going through very difficult times. We have been able to provide tangible help to single mothers—courageous women raising their children alone, many of whom have delicate health conditions. These families were living in homes with leaking roofs, broken bathrooms, and structural issues that endangered their health and well-being. Thanks to this generous support, they now enjoy homes that are safer, more dignified, and in proper condition for their children to grow up in a healthy and protected environment.

The ANE District is so supportive of churches in the District going on BDM trips, especially with helping us getting weeks set up for us to go on trips. They also help contact people from other churches if we need to find extra people to fill up our trip. 

As a result of the Turkey and Ham distribution program that comes to us through a congregation from Manheim, PA, we have established relationships with people who come back to us in times of need. One of those is a community senior center nearby where the director reaches out to us for help in certain areas. Thanks to contributions from the Barnabas Fund, we have been able to provide the Center not only with turkeys and hams as we did initially, but now we help them with basic supplies like toiletries and cleaning products. In addition, we have been contacted by social workers and guidance counselors from community schools, and--thanks to donations from others--we are able to donate clothes to families who were also recipients of turkeys and hams in the past.

Making friends across the District through Christian service and fellowship means a lot to me. District events, commissions, committees, worship services, classes, conferences, and service projects make it easy for me to connect with Brethren from different backgrounds and Biblical understandings which may be different from mine! And that’s a good thing, since Jesus remains the central focus in all our daily lives.

I am truly thankful for the ways in which I can serve the wider church and joyfully use my God-given gifts in support of the important ANE ministries which lovingly reach out to help, enhance, and grow the exceptional ministries and service efforts which are already found in every local/neighborhood Brethren church. But, by working together and covenanting together, we are even more capable of being God’s “hands and feet” as we move forward as Christ’s ambassadors to this crazy world!

The prayer calendars have been a great idea. Early on we would put out a card for our congregants to sign and mail to the prayed for congregation. When I had opportunity, I would share some details about the congregation we were praying for with our congregation.

Then there was Covid. As moderator I would send an email telling the congregation we were praying for them and asking them if there were any special prayer needs. From time to time, we received responses expressing immediate needs and gratefulness for our prayers. 

My personal familiarity with various congregations around the District gives me a special appreciation for this ministry.