Local church re-opens mission
The Faith Mission Outreach in downtown Russellville will be re-opening this coming week due in large part to involvement from a local church.
Calvary Baptist Church in Russellville has shouldered most of the responsibility for re-opening the outreach facility, which is scheduled to open Thursday, Oct. 7, at 2 p.m.
According to Calvary’s pastor Dr. Wade Wallace, the church stepped in to help the struggling facility after he was approached by the former owners almost two years ago.
“The Faith Mission was having some financial trouble and Matt Mangino and his mother approached me and asked if our church would be interested in taking it over,” Wallace said. “We put it to a vote before the church and they approved to accept the property.”
For almost two years, church members and volunteers have built up funds for the facility to do some much-needed remodeling and cleaning to prepare for the re-opening. They have also received donations of clothing and food.
“A month ago we received $10,000 from Community Action to use for groceries,” Wallace said. “We purchased groceries to be used for families in need and we’re thankful to be able to receive that kind of money.”
Wallace said the main goal of Faith Mission Outreach is to minister to people in the community both physically and spiritually.
“We want to help these families that have a physical need such as food or clothing, but we also want to reach people with the Gospel,” Wallace said. “Jesus says in Matthew that ‘whatever you do to the least of these you do to me’ and I want us to show that message in what we do.”
The Faith Mission Outreach is supervised by a board of directors comprised of members of the church. However, Wallace said the facility is not actually operated through their church.
“We have members on the board and members who will work as volunteers, but the Faith Mission isn’t a part of the church,” Wallace said. “It takes a lot of time and money to run a facility like this and our church can only give partial financial support.”
Wallace said that for now the Faith Mission will only be distributing food, new or slightly worn clothing and furniture.
“If there is a need, there will be a form that must be filled out and we’re going to use a voucher system based on a family’s income,” Wallace said. “We want to help people who have legitimate needs, but we also have to make sure that people aren’t abusing the system. It’s just something any church or charity has to deal with.”
Also for now, the Faith Mission will only be open on Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
“We’ve got to crawl before we can walk,” Wallace said. “Ultimately our goal is to find someone to run the facility, but right now we just want to get it going because a facility like this is important. It is a good way for the community to reach out to others and be a blessing to people who are having a hard time.”
For questions or to make donations you can contact Faith Mission Outreach at 256-331-GIVE or visit them at 104 Jackson Ave. S. in Russellville.
