Summer of Hope to raise funds for John 3:17 Ministries
In gratitude for helping a member of its flock overcome addiction, Northside Church of Christ is helping John 3:17 Ministries with the Summer of Hope Fundraiser at the Benton Event Center May 31.
Doors open at 4 p.m. and the silent auction will begin at 4:30 p.m.
“John 3:17 is for women who are struggling with drug or alcohol addiction,” said Assistant Director Suzanne Rudd.
It is located near Newport and has been serving seven years.
According to its website, the faith-base Christian Recovery Center is “a safe, nurturing environment for women who have made the commitment to overcome addition, make positive lifestyle changes, develop spirituality, improve parenting skills and become productive members of society.”
It’s brother ministry, John 3:16, helps men of Saline County.
After Saline County resident Johna Lawrence went through the one-year program successfully, her pastor at Northside, Jim Gardner, wanted to help raise money for the program.
“We are very honored he wants to help us raise money,” Rudd said.
She added that the ministry’s buildings are always full and needs money to expand.
John 3:17 only charges a $50 processing fee. The program does not cost the women who participate.
Dinner during the fundraiser will begin at 5:30 p.m. The John 3:16 Ministries will prepare catfish and “all the trimmings” for the meal. There will also be drinks and dessert.
The silent auction will end at 6:30 p.m. Rudd said they have received several donations such as clothing and purses. There will be mosaic and wood crosses made by women in the program. A golf package including 18-hole golf and golf cart from Longhills Golf Course will also be up for auction.
There will be a live auction featuring special desserts.
Each admission ticket also gets an entry for a drawing to win a Gourmet Guru Grill that will be given away at the end of the night.
At 6:30 p.m., entertainment will start. Current women in the program and women who have graduated will sing. There will also be testimonies shared, including Lawrence.
Attorney General Leslie Rutledge will speak.
Tickets are $10 each. Tables are $400 for a table of 10. Corporate sponsorships are $1,000 and includes recognition during the event, logos on the back of the T-shirts, special seating, a name in the program and on the banner.
“It is a very much-needed ministry,” Rudd said. “We need people to be aware. We need people to support it so we can continue.”
She added the event is a chance for people to hear about the lives that are changed by God and see the people whose lives have been touched.
“We all have a desire to help people,” Rudd said. “By participating in the fundraiser it goes a long way to help change women’s lives.”
For tickets, to make a donation or for a sponsorship, call 870-217-5603.
To learn more about John 3:17 Ministries, visit www. john317ministry.org.