My Neighbor's Ministries

NEW! My Neighbor''s Ministries Center

2010-01-01T21:37:00.001-05:00

We are excited to announce that God has provided for us a Ministries Center to house My Neighbor's Pantry, My Neighbor's Closet and the brand new Living Hope Library! Our team of hard-working volunteers have nearly completed the bulk of the projects for our X-treme Modular Makeover and we're scheduled for our Open House tours on Saturday, January 30, 7:30-9pm and Sunday, January 31, 11am-2:30pm. We plan to launch these ministries the week of February 1 with these initial hours:

Wednesdays 10am-1pm & 7-9pm
Thursdays 11am-1pm
Saturdays 10am-12pm

As the need and volunteer base grow, so will our hours!

Directions: The new MNM Center is located at 595 Weston Canal Road in Somerset, just across the street from Zarephath. To the right and rear of the 1-story school building, there are 2 modulars (trailers). We are in the back trailer, Modular B. Park along the right side.

God's Miraculous Provision! Feeding our Urban Impact families

2007-09-22T09:07:00.000-05:00

I wanted to thank all of you who were there on Friday (9/14/07) and or donated to this outreach and to tell all of you of God’s miraculous provision to enable us to create 80 bags for the boys. On Friday morning, we had about 100-150 pounds of food or enough to fill perhaps 15 bags. We put out a call to the youth group, Barb stepped up to the plate, and we used some of our monetary donations to purchase food. As we started to fill bags on Friday evening, our initial thought was perhaps we could fill 40 bags and let Willie decide which boys were in the most need. What tugged at my heart was what Willie had told the new group in July when they didn’t have enough room to carry all the food our church provided for them. He had told them, “We will send food home with you every visit. Bring enough vehicles to be sure you can carry it.” What if we couldn’t provide bags for them this month? God is faithful in his provision to us. We needed to be faithful to our message to these boys. But how would we do it?

We put the basics in 40 bags and said perhaps we can do 10 more. It seemed as if the supplies didn’t go down. So we filled 10 more, then 10 more, and finally said we could provide all 80 bags although they would be light. We were delighted as we backfilled the bags with the various items that remained. When we were done, we thought “that was amazing.” The bags weren’t overflowing by any means but there was enough to let these boys and their families know that God cares.

We prayed and, while some volunteers left, some of us stayed to talk. Soon Jamie appeared with a few more bags from the youth group. We were delighted as we distributed these additional items. A while later Arturo arrived with an ample supply of soup and macaroni and cheese. By the time we finished adding this to the bags, they were nearly ¾ full and the volunteers were overflowing with amazement at God’s provision. Although we started out with perhaps 150 pounds of food on Friday morning, we probably sent 900 pounds home with the boys!

It reminded us of the story of the widow of Zarephath (I Kings 17) who had enough oil and flour to make one more loaf of bread in the midst of the famine, then she and her son would die. But God stretched the flour and oil to feed Elijah, the widow and her son until the famine ended.

God stretched our food on Friday. Let us all give thanks and sing His praise!

Lois Bennett, Director of My Neighbor's Pantry

A Little Dirt, A Little Work, A Lot of Fun!

2007-05-09T12:14:00.000-05:00

All Thanks to our God the Creator -- The Garden really began to take shape at our first Work Day of the year, as a group of about eight of us came together to restore this little piece of creation. In spite of the strong & sometimes uncomfortable wind, we made great strides... A few kindly volunteered for the daunting task of pulling up the "common cocklebur" that is threatening to take over the field... Not a pleasant task, but a vital one as we strive to restore the natural balance. We also managed to weed and double-dig nearly three whole beds (150 square feet), and plant some garlic. Those beds will soon be covered with straw mulch to protect them until we are ready to transplant seedlings and sow seeds on them (within the month). I was amazed how much we accomplished in one afternoon. So I want to express my deepest thanks to those of you who helped out. It's encouraging & uplifting for me, to spend an afternoon with like-minded folks, who are awed by creation and who share my passion to heed our calling to be caretakers.... Thank you! thank you! thank you! I hope that over the course of this growing season, I can spend a few hours like that with all of you. If there are any early-birds out there, I'll be spending some early AM time there (between 5:30 and 6:45) during the week. I'd love to have some company. I'll keep you all posted as far as organized work days (I like to call them 'healing days') but if any of you have free time that you'd like to spend in the garden, PLEASE give me a call or email and I'll find something for you to do. Thank you all so much for your help, your prayers and for your interest in MNG. -- Keith mng_keith@hotmail.com

April 29, 2007: Spring Work Day at the GARDEN!

2007-04-03T10:56:00.000-05:00

We are eager to get started! Come join us as we prepare the GARDEN for the spring/summer ahead. Not only will you help us as we continue to grow this outdoor classroom, but we'll show you what you can be doing at home, as well! Bring a friend! We'll meet over at the GARDEN after the 11:00 am service, share some lunch and get busy! Contact Keith Ringeisen for more details: mng_keith@hotmail.com.

My Neighbor's HOME's Spring Cleaning Day: April 14, 2007

2007-04-02T20:19:00.000-05:00

The teams have assembled and projects are ready to be tackled! A big thanks to the willing hands who will be serving the elderly and single Moms this weekend! Would you like to use your skills to help others in future projects? Contact Kevin McClarren for more information: km@homecareassistance.com.

February is "Love My Neighbor" Month!!

2007-02-12T11:06:00.000-05:00

We're kicking off the new year, sharing with you the many creative opportunities we have at Zarephath Christian Church to reach out to the needy in our community! Browse through the blog to see our video infomercials we're showing during our February weekend services. (By the end of February, we should have them all posted.)

In addition, we'll have a display set up in the main hallway so you can drop by, learn more about what we're up to and how you can get involved. We're challenging you to join us as we put our "faith in action" throughout 2007! For particular outreach contact information, browse this blog to find the one(s) you're interested in.

Just so you know ... "love bug" antennae are not required to volunteer. : ) [You'll know what I mean if you watch the video promos!]

2007 Video Promos for MNGarden & MNCloset

2007-02-12T10:50:00.000-05:00

2007 Video Promos for MNHome & MNPantry

2007-02-02T20:39:00.000-05:00

MNHome Project List: Can you help?

2006-11-14T22:40:00.000-05:00

Kevin is rallying the "troops" for some recent requests for help:

1) Saturday, November 18, 12:00 pm > Penny needs help moving. We need some strong arms, strong backs and a few nice smiles!

2) With baby Zak in the hospital (praying he'll be home for Thanksgiving!), Leon and Cheryl might call on us for some help getting their home back in order. You know how stuff gets piled up when the storms of life hit. We've all been there one time or another. We'll keep you posted on specifics as needs arise ...

3) Our drummer needs some help moving some equipment. Specific where and when TBA.

If you can help this Saturday and/or want to be put "on call" for #2 or #3, please let Kevin know: km@homecareassistance.com

ALSO, in order to protect all those involved, volunteers and recipients need to complete a brief form or two. If you'd like copies, contact KEVIN at km@homecareassistance.com or DEB at dcruver@pillar.org.

The Birth of a Compost Pile

2006-11-14T11:33:00.000-05:00

How much fun can it be to layer dead leaves, fresh cut clover, used coffee grounds, kitchen scraps, straw and dirt into a pile? Really. Well, believe it or not, some of us really did have a great time! God graciously held off the rain until we were done. Special thanks to the "compost team": David, Keith, Dominick, Mike and Lauren who joined me in the Garden on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 12! Great job! We'll be keeping an eye on the pile, turning it as necessary (and building more) over the fall and winter so that, in the spring, we can "feed" the soil in our vegetable beds and around the fruit trees and shrubs. If you'd like to help us or would like to learn how to build your own compost pile at home (a smaller one, of course), contact DEB at dcruver@pillar.org for more information.

COMPOST DAY! November 12, 2006

2006-11-10T23:09:00.000-05:00

We want your garbage!! We are collecting raw fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, egg shells, fall leaves and grass clippings during all three services at Zarephath Christian Church: 5:30pm Saturday night (11th), as well as 9:00 and 11:00 Sunday morning (12th). Why would we do such a thing?! In God's Creation, there is no waste! Our food scraps break down and are food for the soil. By building healthy soil, we can grow healthy food! After our collection, we'll meet over at MNGarden from 1:00-2:00 pm to build compost piles. Any volunteers who come then learn how to build their own compost piles at home for their 2007 gardens. Come join us!! For more information, contact DEB at dcruver@pillar.org.

What Can YOU Do?

2006-11-10T23:02:00.000-05:00

Have you been feeling like you want to make a difference in the world? Have you finally realized that God has created you for a purpose, but you're just not clear about what that purpose is? Why not choose one of the outreach opportunities listed below to begin using your gifts and talents to make a difference in someone else's life? We're always looking for volunteers who are willing to answer the call to "Follow Me." And, we never turn down tax-deductible donations toward any of My Neighbor's Ministries. Contributions can be earmarked and written to Zarephath Christian Church. You can also pray with us that, as we reach out to those in need, people will experience the love and compassion of Jesus.

My Neighbor's HEALTH

2006-11-10T22:57:00.000-05:00

Presently, MNHealth is picking up speed with its creative healthcare endeavor: Zarephath Health Center -- a dream come true of Drs. John and Alieta Eck. This clinic offers healthcare to low-income and uninsured "neighbors." For more detailed information, visit http://www.zhcenter.org.

Additionally, we are planning some upcoming classes in self-defense, martial arts, aerobics, nutrition, etc. For more information, contact DEB at dcruver@pillar.org.

My Neighbor's CLOSET

2006-11-10T22:44:00.000-05:00

MNCloset made its debut in 2004 with a clothing drive to benefit Franklin Township Food Bank's "Working Persons' Wardrobe." We were able to collect slightly used suits, skirts, blouses, dress pants, etc. to give to those seeking employment and in need of interview and nice work clothes. We also have collected new and used items for the men assisted by Market Street Mission as well as for children in Nicaragua & Costa Rica during the 2005 missions trip. In 2006, we expanded our collections to include school supplies for needy families in the fall and are launching a coat and blanket drive for the homeless over the Thanksgiving holiday. For more information about MNCloset, contact DEB at dcruver@pillar.org or MICHELE through Zarephath Christian Church: 732-356-2502.

My Neighbor's HOME

2006-11-10T22:29:00.000-05:00

The desire of this ministry is to connect the elderly, single parents and others with special needs who may be experiencing minor home-related problems with a trained handy-person. Our team of volunteers has already come to the aid of several grateful "neighbors"! And last year, we traveled as far as New Orleans on two trips to assist those devastated by Hurricane Katrina. For more information about MNHome, contact KEVIN at km@homecareassistance.com or DEB at dcruver@pillar.org.

My Neighbor's PANTRY

2006-11-10T22:26:00.000-05:00

Zarephath Christian Church collects shelf food items on a regular basis. Food is distributed to those who come to us with a need as well as to the young men who join us for Urban Impact each month. Our goal is to provide higher quality and healthier food items.

We're rallying friends and families to fill a bag for Urban Impact. One weekend each month, 40-60 young men join us on the Zarephath campus from Camden, the Bronx, Staten Island and Newark. (See the Urban Impact link for more information.) We'd like to send each young man home with some food to share with his family.

Here's a list of the items we're asking for to fill each bag:

1 pkg raisins or applesauce

1 bag whole grain rice

1 box old fashioned oats

1 jar tomato sauce

1 can beans or dried bean soup mix

2 cans soup

3 can tuna

We're also collecting $25 grocery gift cards to give to families in need of assistance through ZCC.

For more information about MNPantry, contact LOIS lois.bennett@covad.net.

My Neighbor's GARDEN

2006-11-10T22:12:00.000-05:00

My Neighbor's GARDEN has been created to give children and adults the opportunity to reconnect with Creation through organic, sustainable agriculture. MNGarden sits on a 5-acre lot in Somerset, New Jersey. The gardening methods used require minimal space, equipment and labor, so it's ideal for ANYONE -- including low-income families and mission sites around the world. In just a small section, we have set up a proto-type family-of-four garden area: the size of a small backyard. In the future, we hope to provide "Wild Things" summer camps, training for area residents as well as experienced teams sent out to India, Africa, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. (Hey, you can't accomplish big things without first having big dreams, right?!) For more information about MNGarden, contact DEB at dcruver@pillar.org or KEITH through Zarephath Christian Church: 732-356-2502.

Welcome to My Neighbor's Ministries

2006-11-10T15:09:00.001-05:00

Jesus did many things as He walked this earth. He spent some time with the religious leaders of the day, but the majority of his time was spent "on the streets" as he taught, touched and healed the masses. His heart, full of compassion was poured out to the orphans, widows, physically and mentally disabled -- really, everyone in desperate need of healing and hope. His invitation to us was summed up in two simple words: "Follow Me."

This blogsite was created for anyone interested in knowing more about Zarephath Christian Church's response to the invitation to Follow Jesus: "My Neighbor's Ministries." The idea was birthed in 2005 from the conviction that those of us who claim to follow Christ need to spend more time putting our faith into action.

In the following posts, we will share with you each outreach designed to meet specific needs. If you would like more information, please contact DEBRA at dcruver@pillar.org.