Clarendon church celebrates 13 years of treating children
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, just two days before Christmas, the Miracle Tabernacle Free Town Church of God of Prophecy located in Clarendon will celebrate 13 years of community outreach through its annual children’s treat.
Over the years, the Sunday School Department of the church has been impacting children in the community with the assistance of companies such as Supreme Ventures, Headline Entertainment, Pepsi, Food For The Poor, Honey Bun, Juici Patties, Lasco, Most Wanted Records, Foundation Radio Network, Rula Brown and friends, as well as Clarendon’s own son I-Octane, among other friends of the church.
“We have come a long way. At times we thought about discontinuing as the challenges to keep hosting it have been many. But to see the smiles lighting up the children’s faces makes it all worthwhile,” said pastor of the Church, Zebulah Aiken.
According to her, as the economy got tighter and the contributions got smaller, somehow by the grace of God they have been able to ensure the children do not miss out on the day set aside for them.
“This year, as we celebrate number 13, we want to show that there is nothing ‘unlucky’ about it. We are hoping to make it even more special. We are looking forward to a lot more support to turn it up a notch for the children,” she said.
The pastor also expressed her appreciation for the help, even as she urged more involvement this year.
“There is no better outreach in showing the love of God than touching people’s lives, especially those of our children, and for this reason, I am expressing thanks to each and every sponsor who come on board,” she said.
With outreach being the primary focus, the church is now getting ready to launch its Miracle Tabernacle Outreach Foundation, which will see it introducing programmes such as a food pantry, identifying and assisting those in the church and other communities, as well as coming up with more programmes that will impact the communities.
“Ministry is not just about reaching souls on a spiritual level ... but also catering to the whole man. If they are hungry or naked, you can’t get their attention about God’s love, you have to show it through tangible means like this,” said Aiken.