Promises campaign offers hope to those in need
Known for their splashy special occasion events like Easter and Christmas celebrations, Gateway Christian Ministries church thought it might be more impactful to help individuals like single parents, seniors and low-income families.
“We live in a world of broken promises,” Kimi Orton, associate pastor at the church, said. “We’ll make a promise and keep it. We are trustworthy and these are promises kept with no strings attached. Our world is broken and maybe we can shed a little hope in somebody’s life.”
In the past, the church would hold events like the Great Toy Giveway where they collected and distributed 500 gifts to children in need in the community.
“That kind of event is super beneficial to the community but we were thinking about those resources and how we can tangibly change somebody’s life by partnering with them and being part of improving quality of life for them,” Orton said. “We’re called to help people – that’s what God says we’re supposed to be doing and so how can we do that?”
Orton said the church has decided to set a $3,000 limit for each project brought forward.
“So we’ve been saying we can’t build you a new house, we can’t put on a brand new roof but instead of saying we can’t, we’re trying to say we can,” Orton said. “We can’t do it all but we can do some stuff and that stuff would help people.”
Orton is looking forward to having the church family getting involved in the projects.
Service projects could include building a ramp to a senior’s home to make accessibility less difficult, installing safety bars in a bathroom, painting, repairing or building a fence.
“And maybe for single parents and low-income families who are struggling to keep their fridge full maybe we could bring them some meals,” Orton said. “It doesn’t always have to be construction projects, maybe somebody just needs a freezer full of meat because they’ve got a house full of kids, if someone needs a vehicle because theirs is falling a part and they need to get to work in order to sustain their family maybe that’s something we can help with.”
People can apply for their own projects, and others can nominate those in need, too, knowing people might not want to ask for help for themselves. As part of the process the people in need will be contacted and told of the nomination so they still have the option to decline if they choose. Projects will be completed in May and June.
“Because then we can say here are the 10 projects we’re going to take on and if you have skill in one of these areas, we need you and let’s go together and bless somebody - let’s go love people, let’s go help somebody and make their life easier,” Orton said.
Other than the $3,000 limit for each project, Gateway Christian Ministries is open to as many projects as they are able to do. Orton said they will reach out to not only the church family, but also to community members and local businesses to help complete the projects.
“We’re really stepping out in faith because we don’t have a pot of money to do this project,” Orton said. “We just wanted this opportunity to show God’s love and we just have to have faith that it’s going to come together. Prince George is an amazing community. I mean look at us last summer during the Williams Lake evacuation, with the whole interior burning up and so what an opportunity to take care of our own people. It’s going to be pretty great.”
Simplified application forms are available at the Gateway Christian Ministries office, 2055 20th Ave., Tuesday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or email Orton at
Deadline to submit applications is April 23.