Sandy Becker
Sandy Becker
A 14-year-old Pathfinder had a vision to provide a Thanksgiving feast for those who had no plans, but wanted to enjoy a good meal and the company of friendly folks.
Kevin Gil, a member of the Irmo Fellowship Church, Columbia, S.C., decided he wanted to meet a need he saw among members and visitors of his newly planted church, people who had attended God’s Closet Columbia’s shopping event to receive free children’s clothing, and visitors to the Bible studies held each Tuesday evening.
Kevin’s enthusiasm and passion for this ministry was contagious. Members joined Kevin’s mother, Linda Gil, who is the Pathfinder leader, to make it happen.
With only a flyer and word-of-mouth advertising, the church was able to serve 44 people a huge buffet of a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Everyone left completely full, and some took food home!
What began as a service project became a way of ministering to the surrounding community. Attendees included people who had never visited the church, including the pastor’s family, guests, and family and friends of church members.
The Irmo Fellowship Church began having services in January of 2016 with just seven members. Among them were Ron Sturkie, volunteer lay pastor; his wife, Sandra; and Cary McDaniel who owns the shopping center where the church currently worships at the Quail Valley Plaza, 6801 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, S.C. This fellowship of believers meets every Saturday at 10 a.m. for Bible study and 11 a.m. for worship. Every week, a free lunch is provided for all attending.
This small but active group offers to the community free of charge, cooking classes, money management, health, and Bible prophecy seminars.
God’s Closet Columbia is one of the ministries that has greatly impacted the community with free children’s clothes, shoes, and bedding for children newborn to teen. The last event attracted more than 300 families, who each left with several bags of clothes. So far, this ministry has been able to provide clothes for more than 2,000 children.
Kevin proved you are never too young to make a difference!
Carolina | January 2020
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