Eastern NC Poverty Network

Invisible Neighbor?

2011-11-18T09:05:00.001-08:00

Some months ago I had the opportunity to attend a worship service in a large church located in a major southern city. The minister was away and I enjoyed hearing from the president of the local university. In the sermon, the president of this large university was talking about homeless people and the need for the Christian church to become more involved. He gave an illustration from his own local church that is located in the downtown area across the street from the University. I was inspired by his illustration relating to the fact that homeless people would come into the doors of his local church and worship on Sunday. The illustration continued to state that the homeless visitors were comfortable on the back pew of the church.

This story has haunted me for a long time now. What haunts me is the fact that these people are recognized by this university president as “homeless.” Apparently the individuals with whom he identifies as “homeless” are in shabby clothes, and appear to be the stereotypical picture of which we have all become accustomed. This thought has occurred to me. Why would a regular attender to a worship service continue to look “homeless?” Is it that we tolerate the “look” and are happy to see a homeless person in our worship sanctuaries but are not willing to do anything about helping that person get some new clothes? Further why would we allow a homeless person to sit on the back row of our sanctuary without reaching out to that human being? Why wouldn’t we assist her in finding a place to live so she would not be homeless?

Here is my struggle today. Are our Christian antennas that dull to those around us? Are we so accustomed to seeing that person and recognize them as just part of the landscape? Have we lost the compassion for helping the human being who needs a place to stay and clothes to wear? Why is it that there are visibly homeless people attending our churches? Once we have identified a person in need, why is it we don’t take the next step and do something? I reflect upon the story Jesus told about the Good Samaritan. Before the Samaritan arrived on the scene of the beaten and naked man, there were two “church” people who came before him; people who were unable to see the need or were too busy to stop and help. Maybe they just didn’t “see” the man. He was a part of the landscape. There is a great book by John Ashman entitled Invisible Neighbors. I love the subtitle: “If you don’t see them, you’re not looking.”

LaCount Anderson

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Blanket Bundles

2011-11-01T08:17:00.001-07:00

On November 12, WRTP – His Radio, will sponsor again this year Blanket Bundles. You are asked to put 20 grocery items in a blanket, tie it up with cord or string, and bring to the Walmart Superstore located at 251 Premier Blvd. Roanoke Rapids, NC. The collection will take place at Walmart from noon until 4:00 PM. Blanket Bundles has been a great help to the ministry of Union Mission of Roanoke Rapids over the past years. They are in great need of food in that the demand upon food box distribution has never been greater. Currently Union Mission is distributing over 1000 boxes per month to those who are in need. The food is distributed Monday – Friday from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM at 1310 Roanoke Ave. Roanoke Rapids, NC

Future Events at Union Mission of Roanoke Rapids, Inc.:

· Annual Thanksgiving Community Meal November 23, 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM (volunteer workers needed. Frozen Turkeys needed)

· Spring Concert – March 10, 2011 6:00 PM at The Centre.

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Shelter News

2011-10-20T05:51:00.000-07:00

I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you about our two homeless shelters in northeastern NC.

Union Mission of Roanoke Rapids - Pray for Chad Reed as he works with the homeless men coming to the Mission for help.   Pray that God will use him daily as he teaches the men the Bible, works with them in counseling and goal setting.   Pray for the men that they will see the gift God has given each of them to use this time to know Him better.

Union Mission is giving out an enormous amount of food these days.   In August the mission gave out over 1000 boxes of food to people coming by for assistance.   Our food supply is running low these days and donations of non-perishable food are needed.   The Mission will host their annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner again this year on November 23 from 11:00 AM- 4:00 PM.   They need donations of turkeys to provide enough food for 900 plates. If you would like to volunteer or donate please call 252-537-3372.

Faith House- Under the direction of Gloria Caudel seeks to help women and children who find themselves homeless.   Faith House is in need of facility repair and funds to help the women and children.   To find out how you can help please contact LaCount Anderson : landerson@thefellowship.info - 252 537-3372 ex. 28

We welcome Ms. Leah Anderson to the staff of the Eastern NC Poverty Network. Leah serves as our Woman's Counselor working with the two shelters and our local churches. She desires to assist women and children. Her office is at All Saints Episcopal Church, Roanoke Rapids, NC.   Contact Leah at : leahandreed@gmail.com   - 252-537-3610.

Pray and Act

2011-10-10T07:06:00.000-07:00

Back in 1978 while I was a young seminary student I had the privilege of working with Rev. John Grant at Wake Cross Roads Baptist Church in Raleigh. John relayed a story to me while we were experiencing conflict within the congregation.
In the 1950’s John had a colleague in the Asheville area who was the pastor of a church. God was working in the church, change was occurring, and 5 or 6 deacons didn’t like the direction that was being taken. These deacons decided to take action to have the pastor removed from his position thus eliminating the problem they perceived in the direction of the church. They set about a systematic plan to discredit him in the church. Private discussions were had as well as public opposition to the direction of the church was made. Every attempt at moving forward was thwarted by these deacons.

The story goes on to state that one of those deacons became ill and died. Another and then another were tragically killed. Within one year all of the deacons of this mountain church, who had set a course to stop God’s work within the congregation had died; all but one. The pastor received a call that the last of the deacons was in the hospital gravely ill. He had requested the pastor to come to visit him in the hospital. Upon entry into the hospital room this man confessed his sin and asked for forgiveness from the pastor. The pastor forgave this man. Then the pastor witnessed the final deacon’s death right before his eyes.

I am reminded that God is in control and He will not let anything or anyone stop the work of His church. I am reminded that the most important thing we can do is actively pray for God’s wisdom. Then we must be courageous and follow God’s leadership no matter what He asks of us. If we are earnestly seeking wisdom from God, acting with courage in situations that come our way, all will be well. When we take action without His leadership, going our own way, we will surely fall into trouble.

-LaCount Anderson

Christian Woman's Job Corps and Prayer Items

2011-09-15T13:02:00.001-07:00

Prayers Answered:
Her name came to us from different sources. WMU contacted us as did a church in Oak City, Raleigh, and Ahoskie. We interviewed Joyce to find out that she was being released from prison in just a few days. Would we help? After Leah talked with Joyce we realized that this lady really desired help for she and her teenaged son. Our answer was YES! Thus begins a story of Christian Woman's Job Corps here in northeastern NC. Today Joyce and her son are in temporary housing and she starts a new job tomorrow. We ask you to pray for our new ministry: Christian Woman's Job Corps. We are two weeks old and are already busy helping people who need help. We point people to God and encourage them to let Him be involved in their lives. If you would like to become involved as a mentor or to be a part of our financial team please contact Leah Anderson - 252-537-3610 or by email: leahandreed@gmail.com

Prayers For:

• Christian Woman's Job Corps - We have not met our start up goal financially. We are moving forward in faith that God will provide. Your help is needed. Please make your check to CBF and mail to LaCount Anderson P.O. Box 165 Scotland Neck, NC 27874 .
• Union Mission - Needs immediate funds for repair to the freezer and a second repair to their air conditioning.
• Faith House - Structure Repair on facility.
• Alton, CJ, Derrick, David, Orlando, Wilson, James, Raymond of Union Mission. Pray for the ladies at Faith House. Pray for Joyce and her son as they begin again.
• We received a gift of a mobile home to be used for someone in transition. Pray that God will show us where to place the home and for someone to live in the home who needs help.

Stepping Out on Faith

2011-08-06T15:23:00.000-07:00

This past week a group of teenagers arrived at Union Mission to help us wherever we needed it. There were about 15 or so of these young missionaries. They stayed at the local hotel and came over every morning to work. They stepped out in faith that there was something to do in Roanoke Rapids, NC and traveled to Union Mission in faith.

Right after their arrival on Monday I received a call from a fellow missionary here in the area. He indicated that there was a farmer in Hobgood who was having difficulty in getting in his crop. It turns out he had, on faith, planted several acres of corn, squash, and okra not for the purpose of selling but for the purpose of giving to those in need. He had done this for a few years and for some reason this year he was having a difficult time in getting people to come to the farm and harvest.

I gave a resounding YES to this man and on Tuesday and Wednesday the teens, their chaperones and I drove over an hour to Hobgood, NC and worked in the 100 degree heat harvesting about 1000 pounds of corn. On Wednesday we looked at this huge pile of corn in our pantry at Union Mission and realized that we needed to bag it up and get it to people in need.

On Wednesday morning, I sent the teenagers to Enfield, to give out the corn to the neighbors of Faith House, our shelter in the area. To my surprise came a group of Children on Wednesday afternoon from Roanoke Rapids. They came in faith that there was something to do at Union Mission. They were coming to help wherever they could. I watched these children aged 6-9 years of age work like little busy bees bagging up corn. They bagged it all . Now it was ready for distribution. Over the next day we gave out corn to those who came to Union Mission for a food box, and we sent it out into the neighborhoods through our regular channel of food distribution. At the end of Thursday all 1000 pounds of corn we had received on Tuesday was in the hands of families who needed food.

Steppin out....

Christian Woman's Job Corps Begin

2011-05-12T10:44:00.000-07:00

Our ministry with those in poverty will be two years old with the beginning of the General Assembly in Tampa this June. We are excited about the evolution of the work meeing the needs of those who are homeless and near homeless in northeastern NC. We have been working very hard to give organization to this ministry and now are feeling that things are falling into place.

So many stories to tell about how God has met the needs of many people in our area. Last evening Anna told me a story about a lady that had come to her with help for her light bill; her lights will be turned off today if help doesn't arrive. The touching thing that was evident in her request for help is that she is desperately looking for work; any work, anywhere. She indicated that her only talent was cleaning and she talked about the pleasure she gets from cleaning or yard work. Her request also included "can you help me with training on how to get a job?"

Tearfully, Anna related that we are very close to providing training. The frustrating fact is that we could not help her today. We have received approval from the Transformational Development Team to fund a new project. The account is in place at CBF and we are now attempting to raise funds. We need financial help to help this lady and others who for various reasons, due to no fault of their own, cannot help themselves.

In cooperation with WMU of North Carolina we have partnered together to begin Christian Woman's Job Corps in northeastern NC. We plan to expand our ministry, The Eastern NC Poverty Network, to form a physical office located in Roanoke Rapids, NC and fund staff to help us. This is truly a "God-Sized Task" and one that has humbled us greatly. We know nothing else but to ask for funds to reach the people of northeastern NC with more than a light bill payment, more than a bag of food. We desire to develop relationships with these people and find solutions to their problem through the ministry of mentoring and counseling that will take place through Christian Woman's Job Corps.

On the Eastern NC Poverty Network group at the fellowshipportal.ning.com or on our facebook page (Eastern NC Poverty Network) you will find a brochure that tells more about the ministry to those in poverty. We invite you to look at our brochure and if you can print it out and help us raise funds we would be grateful. If you can give, please note the giving form on the brochure. We thank you for any help you might be able to offer to the people of northeastern NC.

Here is the link to our brochure: Christian Woman's Job Corps Eastern NC

LaCount and Anna Anderson
CBF Global Field Personnel serving in Eastern NCemail:
landerson@thefellowship.info

Meeting Hercules at Lunch

2011-03-01T12:06:00.000-08:00

February 28, 2011 by Jim Smith, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship I sat down for lunch after collecting my ham and cheese sandwich accompanied by a cup of vegetable soup. It was simple food served in a simple room. It was lunch time at the Union Mission of Roanoke Rapids, NC. I noticed that several of the people standing in the serving line appeared “worn and weathered.” They were receiving a much needed meal and were friendly to me and other strangers to this mix. A young man sat next to me and introduced himself. He was young, only 21, and had been at the mission for one year. He eagerly shared his story with a good vocabulary and impressed me with his positive spirit. He had plenty of reasons to be positive. He came to the mission with severe injuries stemming from a traffic accident. He had been guilty of DUI. The accident had inflicted injury, but the recovery at the center had helped him regain his health, give up drugs and guided him in finding faith. The young man had plans to enroll in the local community college in the autumn of 2011. Another man, in his 50s, sat at the same round table. He prompted the young man at times to share yet another aspect of his story. The older gentleman was in charge of the mission. He also works in cooperation with Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. He and his wife are passionate about helping the poor and disadvantaged. As I listened and was inspired by the transformation which happened with the young man’s life, I thought the older gentleman should be called Hercules. It’s not often you get to see the fruit of someone’s efforts so plainly. I left the place with more than soup in my belly. I left with more hope than I’d had prior to coming in.

Crossroads Experience

2011-02-20T18:29:00.000-08:00

It was a typical speaking invitation and I gladly accepted. One of the joys in my life these days is to speak to churches concerning poverty ministry; with particular emphasis on looking down the street and getting involved in our own neighborhoods. As I prepared for my visit to Crossroads Baptist Fellowship, I began to learn more about the congregation. I learned that the location of the congregation was in a small North Carolina town, Weldon, NC. I also learned that I would be their fifth anniversary speaker and that the congregation met in the home of their pastor, Rev. Ida Mae Hays.

The Sunday of my visit arrived and I drove to the fellowship’s location with great anticipation. Getting out of my car I noticed Rev. Hays standing on the side porch of a beautiful old home. As I entered the living room area the room was set up for Sunday School. Sitting in the designated area were three ladies and soon the teacher arrived. Six of us enjoyed studying the lesson for the day and then it was time for worship. In one quick maneuver the teaching table was replaced by the speaker’s podium adorned with the liturgical color of the day.

I anxiously awaited others to arrive but pretty soon noted that there were no other congregants to arrive. The prelude began and my thoughts turned toward the worship of God. Looking around the room and experiencing this fellowship of believers seemed very familiar to me; I have felt this before and how I was enjoying being in worship today. Ah, I remembered this feeling. I last felt it in worship in the southern African bush some two years ago. Hearing the music, singing the hymns, hearing the Holy words read from the scriptures, and preaching to people prepared to worship transcends any culture. Here we were, six believers practicing worship in what I have decided was a rather ancient style of worship; all in agreement with who we are and why we were present. There were no political agendas that brought us together; no reason to be present except for worship. I had met a couple of the members of the fellowship briefly some months ago but really didn’t know anything about them and they didn’t really know much about me. There was an instant family connection as we gathered together to worship God.

Following worship my wife and future son-in-law arrived from a previous engagement. We sat down in the dining room of CBF to a wonderful meal. Not a heavy calorie covered dish meal like many churches have on their anniversary; but a simple and delicious meal thoughtfully prepared by Rev. Hays. During the meal I learned of the 31 years Rev. Hays had served as a missionary in Brazil. I learned of the many things Crossroads Baptist Fellowship is involved in the community and was thankful to be sitting in the midst of Christians who were not mission-minded, but rather, mission-action Christians. We sang “Happy Birthday” to CBF, and had birthday cake and ice cream. I must tell you I wanted to linger at this gathering longer than usual.

Thank you CBF (Crossroads Baptist Fellowship) for sharing your life with me and my family. I have been encouraged on my walk and my journey to be the “Presence of Christ” in our community.

WMU Heck-Jones Offering

2011-02-13T13:13:00.000-08:00

This week launches the Week of Prayer for WMU. This year marks the 125th anniversary of WMU. You, no doubt, have taken notice that in church, women are the driving force behind mission work and prayer for our missionaries. We men, have come along over the years and I am proud of the mission work of many men. However, when it comes to prayer and action, Women's Missionary Union leads out!

Fannie Heck and Sallie Jones are two such women from which the current offering is named. These ladies, from First Baptist Church of Raleigh, NC, a lifetime ago, reached out to the poor and needy in the neighborhoods around the church. During the age when these ladies lived and served life was much more difficult than in the 21st century. They did more than study about missions, they acted upon what they studied. With their influence First Baptist Church became a missions outpost as well as a missions-minded church.

The Eastern NC Poverty Network tries to reach out in that spirit too. In December of 2010, Anna and I had the opportunity of meeting with WMU. In that meeting our two organizations formally agreed to do more in Northeastern NC.

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has begun with partnerships with two shelters in eastern NC providing support and ministry. We are working with CBF churches in the eastern section of our state, to reach out in different neighborhoods in the different towns served by these churches. Finally, through a partnership with WMU of NC we begin a process of starting Christian Women's / Men's Job Corp centers in three different areas of our influence. We have begun the process and by September of this year will have a full-time staff working with us in helping those in need, through a mentoring program. Our program will be designed around Bible study, and relationship building as we seek to help people understand how to get a job and how to keep employment that has been gained.

I am thankful to WMU and the confidence they have placed in us to partner in doing more than talk about missions. I am thankful they have joined us in action.

We invite you to help us. You can access our brochure by clicking this link: http://tinyurl.com/4eqvres We ask you to pray for us as we raise funding for the ministry and we encourage you to join us by volunteering to help.

Local Trends Reflect National Scope of Hunger and Homelessness

2011-02-06T12:16:00.000-08:00

“When you take into account we’re dealing with layoffs, reduced wages, foreclosures and the toll they’re taking on hard-working individuals and families, the struggles of our neighbors are no different than in larger metropolitan areas,”

—LaCount Anderson, CBF Global Field Personnel,
serving The Eastern NC Poverty Network

Roanoke Rapids, NC.––During 2010, the number of people experiencing homelessness increased across major cities by an average of 2 percent, while requests for emergency food assistance rose by 24 percent.

These statistics spotlight the widely recognized impact of rising unemployment, housing costs and lost wages on America’s most vulnerable sections of society, as cited in the U.S. Conference of Mayors 2010 report, “Hunger and Homelessness in U.S. Cities.” The survey, which studied 27 major metropolitan areas between September 2009 and August 2010, was released this month.

While cities in Northeastern NC were not among the cities studied, CBF missionary, Anderson says the findings reflect trends challenging our citizens right here at home.

“When you take into account we’re dealing with layoffs, reduced wages, foreclosures and the toll they’re taking on hard-working individuals and families, the struggles of our neighbors are no different than in larger metropolitan areas,” Anderson said. “They experience fear and frustration at wondering how they’ll feed their kids next week or if their next paycheck will be their last. We have to be here to help if and when the worst happens.”

Specifically, the survey found that of those requesting food assistance, 56 percent were persons in families, 30 percent were unemployed, 19 percent were elderly and 17 percent were homeless. Among homeless adults in the surveyed cities, 24 percent are mentally ill, 20 percent are physically disabled, 19 percent are employed, 14 percent are victims of domestic violence, and 14 percent are veterans.

In 2010, Union Mission, where Anderson works, provided more than 3,000 nights of safe shelter for those with no other place to go and served 2500 meals to the homeless and working poor. “The bottom line is people in Roanoke Rapids and towns in northeastern NC are hungry, homeless, and they need our help,” Anderson said. “I’m grateful to live in a community where these individuals aren’t seen as numbers, but as children of God with so much to offer—if we can give them a safe place to stay, wholesome food and the guidance and resources they need to make their own way. With the continued support of our compassionate partners and donors, CBF’s Eastern NC Poverty Network can provide these basic essentials and life-building opportunities.”

The full report issued by the 2010 U.S. Conference of Mayors can be found online at www.citymayors.com/features/uscity_poverty.html. Additional information on CBF’s Eastern NC Poverty Network’s programs and services for homeless and hungry men, women and children is available at www.thefellowship.info/anderson

Reflection on Youth

2011-01-09T15:29:00.001-08:00

Recently I attended a sad event. It was a funeral of a young man who didn’t have to die. He died due to his own decision to use alcohol and it was a fatal decision. At his memorial service I looked around the room and saw more than a hundred of his friends and associates who lived a similar lifestyle.

I work daily with those who have made poor choices. They come to me for help in that their decisions have left them homeless and without money. Their choice to use self-destructive behavior; using alcohol or drugs is a common thread to their dilemma. Another common thread is that many of my clients are young men and women. Just today I turned on the evening news and witnessed the breaking news of yet another senseless crime committed by a young 22 year old who decided to open gun fire on a political gathering killing 6 and injuring another dozen people.

For just a bit my thoughts began to question our society and what we are teaching our youth. “Is this why I am seeing so many young adults who find themselves in trouble? Are we failing to teach our children basic truths that we were taught in our younger years?” I began to ask.

As I continued to reflect upon these events my thoughts began to take a positive turn. I began thinking about that group of Wake Forest University Students who worked with me at the homeless shelter recently. The group of Campbell University students who gave up their spring break to travel with me to Atlanta, Ga. to assist refugees in a poverty situation. The young Chowan University music student who was motivated to play a concert at his church to raise money for that homeless shelter, and the joy I witnessed when he presented to the shelter the large sum of money from his concert. I am reminded of the many young adult men and women I have been fortunate to work along side as they have begun their career in ministry. I am thankful to know the new Global Field Personnel we commissioned last summer at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s General Assembly. Men and women at much sacrifice have taken up residence in places all over our world, raising their own support, to be the presence of Christ. Men and women who will drive a hundred miles to help serve a meal at our homeless shelter because they want to be a part of helping another human being. Men and women with no thought of how much they will be paid taking on low wage, full time employment in places that serve “the least of these.”

It is truly sad to witness the waste of a young life, but it gives me joy and comfort in the future knowing there are young men and women who do actually get it. Men and women who are going to change our society for the better and who are an inspiration to some of us who work along side them. My young friends, you know who you are, thank you for your commitment and your dedication. I feel the world is a better place because of you and I am proud to be your friend and colleague.

LaCount Anderson

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Upcoming Events

2011-01-03T11:14:00.001-08:00

An Exciting Event

January 24 The North Carolina Baptist Singers will be leading a service of worship through music at Rosemary Baptist Church, Roanoke Rapids, 6:45 PM. Anna and LaCount are active members of the Singers. We encourage you to come for an evening of music provided by ministers of music in NC. There will be some 150 orchestra members and singers providing the finest in church music. Please come early to get a seat. The NC Baptist Singers normally sing to standing room audiences. We are grateful for this opportunity of worship to be in our part of the state.

Plunge 2 Poverty

In an effort to bring events to northeastern NC we have partnered with WMU of NC to have a poverty simulation on March 4-5. We believe in order to reach those in poverty effectively we must learn. This event will help you understand more about rural poverty and this unique opportunity of learning in a retreat setting is rare. Plunge 2 Poverty begins at Noon on March 4 and concludes at noon on March 5. We will meet at Union Mission and Rosemary Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids for our sessions. Part of the time on the retreat will be participating in a Food Distribution of 240 food boxes to the community. Please contact Anna or LaCount for registration information: landerson@thefellowship.info .

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Christmas at Union Mission 2010

2010-12-25T08:25:00.001-08:00

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Thank You !

2010-11-27T05:06:00.000-08:00

Thank you for Praying Thank you for praying for our Eastern NC Poverty Network. We, on a daily basis, see God at work in our lives. Whether it is working with a homeless man, providing food or clothing for someone in need, or working with our churches, we see miracles happen. You have heard missionaries say the most important thing you can do is to pray. We echo that sentiment. Thank you for praying for us.

Do you have your copy of Prayers For The People?
Our 150 Global Field Personnel ask for your prayers for we know the importance of prayer to our ministry. We have copies available and will be happy to supply you with a copy so you will be able to pray for each one of us.

Thank You For Giving Thank you for your consistent prayers, faithful giving and meaningful service alongside our ministry in Northeastern NC. God is at work in the world, and when you participate with us in ministry, you join God in that work.

At this time of year, many of you make an extra gift to the CBF Offering for Global Missions. During this economic downturn, your gift, while sacrificial on your part, has the potential to have more impact on the lives of the people who live at the margins around the world. There are 300 million more people living in poverty now than when the global recession began.

Please consider making an online gift now through CBF's secure giving site, or you can mail your gift to Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, P.O. Box 101699, Atlanta, Ga., 30392. Be sure to indicate "CBF Offering for Global Missions" in the memo line.

May God richly bless you, your church, your family and all the ways you are using your passion to participate in God's mission.

Thank You for Learning

We are planning to host a poverty simulation called Plunge 2 Poverty. We invite you to join us at the next simulation experience, March 4-5, 2011, at Rosemary Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids!
The cost of the simulation is $25, and the time is Friday at noon through noon Saturday. This is an excellent time of education for participants as we discuss rural poverty. Part of the experience will be to help distribute food to those in need at Union Mission. A time to serve and a time to learn. We need a minimum of two participants per church and are limited to 30 total. Please click this link for further information and registration: WMU Registration

Anna and LaCount Anderson

New CBF Resource You Need

2010-10-16T07:47:00.000-07:00

I have just found a wonderful free download from the CBF Store! You need this! Go to the CBF Store at http://shop.1asecure.com/index.cfm?StID=10604and under product "select from this list to help you find out" there is a drop down menu. Click on "Support the MDGs" You will find a free download called 8 Ways to Change The World. Great Ideas for your church!!!

If you have not purchased anything from the CBF Store you will need to enroll. Please note you will go through the process of purchasing and checking out eventhough it is a free download. Once you have enrolled an email with instructions as to how to download will be sent to you.

There is a wealth of information and ideas available to promote MGDs in your church. I am particularly interested in those ideas relating to poverty.

Join our new group on Facebook: Eastern NC Poverty Network. Stay in touch!
LaCount Anderson

Need is great, but community response greater in Roanoke Valley

2010-10-02T13:00:00.001-07:00

Need is great, but community response greater in Roanoke Valleyby Stephen Hemelt, Managing Editor, The Daily Herald

There is no doubt that times are tough for those in the Roanoke Valley. Word from those who run Union Mission of Roanoke Rapids shows the people of the Roanoke Valley are even tougher.

The Rev. LaCount Anderson told The Daily Herald the mission helped 700 people with emergency food in the first four weeks of September, a drastic increase because the mission normally serves 200 to 300 people in that time frame.

LaCount described the need as “crazy” in Sunday’s newspaper.

The mission, located in the 1300 block of Roanoke Avenue, serves one meal a day to the public and offers food boxes, which can contain canned food.

“We’re just very pleased with the community for their help,” LaCount said. “I think we are seeing people who normally don’t visit us. Those donations from Scouts, high schools and various church groups are really helpful to what we’re doing. I just want to thank the citizens who have donated, and I want them to know their donations have really helped their fellow citizens in the Roanoke Valley.”

Union Mission operates completely on donations, so it is a testament to the enduring spirit of the community that Union Mission has met its recent needs, which are up as much as 300 percent.

It seems all too many of us are but one cutback away from being the one who can help to the one who needs help.

It’s great to know there are many wonderful people who work with the less fortunate in our very own community.

There is also a larger network of people who help supply those on the front lines. We are grateful for them all.

Anyone interested in helping the mission can call 252-537-3372 or e-mail LaCount at director@umrr.org.

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Can You Provide a Bible?

2010-09-22T13:21:00.001-07:00

From time to time I am asked if there are items I need for our ministry. I wanted to share one item that is probably the most important item for our work in poverty. Bibles. We have the wonderful opportunity to share the word of God with homeless people as well as families in crisis. Opportunities avail at local prisons too.

If you would like to provide a Bible we have some specifications:

The NIV translation is a good translation for teaching homeless men.

Large print is always helpful to our students in that many in poverty have poor eyesight.

Hard cover Bibles are needed.

We talk a lot about the sayings of Jesus, so if you can find a red letter edition that would be helpful.

If you would like to provide a Bible toward our ministry please get in touch : landerson@thefellowship.info

Sincerely,

LaCount Anderson

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Urgent Prayer Request for Hector Villanueva

2010-08-28T05:53:00.001-07:00

Our friend Larry Hovis sent this letter to me yesterday. I pass it on to you and ask you to pray for this minister of the Gospel. One of our pastors in the Hispanic Network was arrested last Thursday. Hector Villanueva has a green card, a social security card, legal resident since the 1980s, and has been in the United States since he was three. He and his wife Martha, a US Citizen, have four children, and are in the process of adopting two foster children.

Hector is warm, engaging, and speaks fluent English. Recently, Hector applied for US citizenship. When he did this, a background check found an old conviction for trying to cash a bad check while homeless. Hector served his sentence and became a Christian 15 years ago, and has dedicated himself to a life of ministry. He pastors Iglesia Bautista la Roca in Siler City, but previously helped our Hispanic Leader Coach Javier Benitez start Iglesia Bautista la Roca in Raleigh.

Any non-citizen with a prior conviction faces deportation, regardless if they have served their sentence or not. Because of this, authorities are planning to deport him. Church members were quoted as saying, "We love him. We need him." His wife Martha shares, "I need my husband home."

Hector has an immigration lawyer, who is petitioning on his behalf to be released on bond. Many of us have written character reference letters, but now we need your prayers. Please pray for Hector and his family in their time of need.

Here is the link to the WRAL story on Hector, with a video interview with his wife Martha.

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Prayer Newsletter

2010-08-25T05:53:00.001-07:00

We want to thank you for your continued prayer support of our work here in northeastern NC. This blog is to give you current prayer requests to help when you pray for us. Please pass these requests on to your church on our behalf. We thank you for your partnership in our ministry.

Last week was particularly difficult for LaCount in his work at Union Mission. For 18 months he has been working with two men who have made wonderful progress in getting their lives back together. On two independent occasions, on Monday, each of these men had to be asked to leave the shelter. This was particulary painful for LaCount in that he has developed strong relationships with the two men. The two men are now on the street. Both men are capable of taking care of themselves but the fear is that they will lapse into the old habits which landed them in the shelter at the beginning. Pray that they will stay connected to the churches they have been attending and that God will use this event to strengthen them. Pray for direction in their lives.

Over the past few months we have been asked by many people about the idea of providing transitional housing for women and children here in our community. We believe this is a great idea: to provide temporary housing for women and children who are homeless. The idea is that a house would be available for a family that is struggling, and that proper counseling and support be provided to the residents of the house for a defined period of time. We believe that since there have been several who have inquired from different places, this is of God. We ask you to pray that God will give us all wisdom as we seek to provide the kind of assistance to those who are in need of transitional housing.

Finally, we are very excited about the monthly food distribution to residents of Halifax and Northampton counties. We are in a period of time that food donations are low and we are praying for God to provide more food for the September 22 food distribution. Normally people, at Thanksgiving, are compelled to give food to shelters and it is greatly appreciated. But right now there are still families in need of food during September and October. Please contact LaCount at : landerson@thefellowship.info if you would like to provide food for distribution. We ask for your prayers as we seek to provide food to others.

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Please Join Us In Prayer

2010-08-12T13:10:00.001-07:00

I wanted to make you aware of a few prayer requests for Union Mission of Roanoke Rapids: 1. Pray for Sarah Thompson who is home dealing with an illness. Sarah serves as our Bookkeeper. 2. Pray for Florence Williams who is recovering from serious surgery this week. Florence is our Intake Coordinator. 3. Pray for the family of community helper, Mr. Earl Dade, who died earlier today. He spent most every day helping at Union Mission in our Warehouse. -LaCount Anderson

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Children in Ministry

2010-08-07T07:55:00.001-07:00

I would ask you to remember the middle-school children from Edenton Baptist Church. These children are on mission in Roanoke Rapids and Enfield on Monday August 9 and Tuesday August 10. While in these North Carolina towns they will be working at Union Mission assisting in poverty ministry. They plan to do work in Enfield at Faith House as well as visit the residents. This is a first for Anna and me; working with children on a mission trip. We are very excited about their upcoming ministry among us next week.

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Vacation Bible School

2010-07-30T11:44:00.001-07:00

It was a typical hot, summer Monday morning a few weeks ago, when we opened the door. As we opened the door sleepy eyed children from the community came to participate in Union Mission's very first Vacation Bible School. The whole Mission felt alive as the songs and laughter filled the space. Children were making craft items; they heard Bible stories; and even acted out drama as they learned about Jesus. We are grateful to volunteers who came to teach the children about Jesus that week. Some came from a great distance and others came from around the corner to be the leadership team for the week. Smiles and songs were penetrating the multi-purpose room of the Mission. Some 71 children came through Union Mission's door to experience Vacation Bible School 2010. As the week ended we were sad to say good bye. However, we look forward to the next event at Union Mission to help children learn more of Jesus. -LaCount Anderson

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Loving The Unlovable

2010-07-29T11:53:00.001-07:00

My friend and colleague Hugh Hollowell has written this. I publish it here for your reading:

-LaCount Anderson

When I met them several years ago, they were homeless. She had delivered five children, all of whom had been taken by the state. He was a crackhead living off her food stamps, who made spending money by turning tricks for the white-collar types that cruise the homeless camps looking for sex.

He has several kids by different women. She has a two pack a day habit. They had a baby together – his family was fostering that kid for the state while they “got things under control”. Then they found out she was pregnant. Again.

Luckily (!) about this time, they were on a city bus that hit a car. As a result, they got a small settlement. They paid a year’s worth of rent on a place infested with fleas & roaches & moved in just in time for her to deliver the baby. The state let her keep this one.

They still had no money, no job. They had food stamps & whatever church they were stringing along for help that week. He was still turning tricks & she was selling her food stamps and WIC allotment. Apparently, the state was impressed by their industry & let them have custody of their other child, who is now three. The last time I was over there, the kid was watching a VHS tape of New Jack City & eating a cold hot dog while a roach ran across his foot.

Last week, I get a phone call the day before I go out of town. He ran off with the neighbor, with whom he has been having an affair. The neighbor is HIV positive. And the lease on the apartment runs out at the end of August.

Her mental health caseworker & I talked to her for hours, encouraging her to file for child support & get a restraining order. She said she will. While I am out of town, he moves back in with her. And why not – it’s almost time to get food stamps again. It’s hard to blame her – the thought of being alone with two kids has her terrified.

Loving these people is not easy for me. It is easy for me to say that they are where they are because of the choices they have made, or their moral failures, or whatever. But if I only love people who are lovable – well, even terrorists do that.

My Evangelical friends complain I don’t talk enough about my faith in these letters. Well, understand that the only thing that keeps me answering the phone when she calls is my belief that she is valuable to the God I profess to believe in. And the only reason I am not filled with total despair for those babies is the assurance found in the ancient prayer that one day it will be “on earth as it is in heaven.”

But until that day comes, I don’t know anything to do but to try my best to love them, even when it is not easy. And to pray really, really hard.

They could use your prayers, too. Truth be told, so could I.

Love Wins. Always.

Hugh Hollowell

Love Wins Ministries

Raleigh, North Carolina

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Plunge2Poverty August 20-21

2010-07-28T13:16:00.001-07:00

The deadline for signing up for the Plunge2Poverty Experience is August 1. We will meet at Rosemary Baptist Church, Roanoke Rapids, NC and will be working during the 24 hours of the Experience at Union Mission. Come learn about homelessness first hand! To register go to this link: www.wmunc.org.

LaCount Anderson

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Recycling At Union Mission

2010-07-21T06:59:00.001-07:00

Union Mission has been blessed by financial gifts, food donations, and donations of clothing. We are truly grateful for the ongoing support to this ministry that has been serving the Roanoke Valley since 1951. You may not be aware of a recycling program that helps to support this ministry. We are able to recycle cardboard and old clothes. No need to throw these items in the trash. Union Mission can turn these items into money that goes to help the homeless and those in need. Here is how you can help: Bring your clothing and cardboard, even clothes that are unusable, by Union Mission at 1310 Roanoke Ave. Roanoke Rapids, NC or call 252-676-1441 and we will pick up your donation. You can also email us: director@umrr.org. The main need at this time is to recycle old clothes. Remember: If your clothes are not becoming to you; we would like for them to be coming to us!

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Union Mission in Roanoke Rapids

2010-06-19T08:15:00.001-07:00

If you are in Roanoke Rapids you really should drop by the Union Mission. Union Mission was begun almost 60 years ago with the call of God to reach people in need. It serves as a homeless shelter for men; a community service center where food is distributed daily; an educational center where people, especially children come to learn. It is my pleasure to serve as Executive Director of this fine center and I welcome you to come by for a visit or to serve. We are always in need of donations of food, money, clothing and time. In the coming weeks there are two events you may be interested in providing a donation. 1. On July 12-16 we will be hosting our very first Vacation Bible School from 9-noon daily. Volunteers are needed to transport children as well as participate in leadership. If you know of a child who would participate please make arrangements by bringing the child. Pre registration is by calling 252-537-3372. 2. On July 21 we will be distributing 1600 cans of food to some 200 families. Your donation of food is needed and we thank you in advance for your support. Food donations can be brought by Union Mission daily from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM. Finally, we would love to have your old clothes. If your clothes are not becoming to you...then we would like for them to be coming to us!

Blessings!

Rev. LaCount Anderson

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Anna Joins the Team

2010-05-31T06:53:00.001-07:00

We welcome Anna Anderson to serve with LaCount as Global Field Personnel in Eastern NC. Anna will be serving as Community Development Coordinator for our team. She also serves Rosemary Baptist Church as Minister of Music and Missions. We look forward to Anna sharing her gifts with our Eastern NC Poverty Network.

Commissioning for Anna will be on June 23 at Prichard Memorial Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC 7:00 PM. Everyone in Eastern NC is invited to come and participate in the service. The Commissioning service is a part of the General Assembly of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

Upcoming events: General Assembly in Charlotte, NC June 24-26.
First Baptist Church, Kingston, Tn will be on mission in Murfreesboro, NC June 26-July 2. They will be working to provide home repair and Sports Camps in Murfreesboro.

Poverty Simulation in Roanoke Rapids, NC

2010-05-16T19:17:00.000-07:00

Plunge Into Poverty August 20-21 Rosemary Baptist Church, Roanoke Rapids,NC Sponsored by NC WMU and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. A wonderful opportunity to explore homelessness and discuss solutions to rural poverty. Please click on this link to register by August 1, 2010:

http://www.wmunc.org/Do/PovertySimulationExperienceTraining/tabid/7086/language/en-US/Default.aspx

LaCount Anderson

Untitled

2010-04-25T16:36:00.001-07:00

Today I am thankful for:

1. Pleasant Garden Baptist Church who arrived at Union Mission on last Thursday. They have been busy working on the upstairs area of the mission that needed renovation. From this renovation we will be able to open three new areas for use. They have constructed and installed cabinets in the dining room, for use by the residential men, and the sorting of food donations that come daily. This group of 22 individuals from the Greensboro, NC area have been teaching music and Bible stories to children after school. The group will continue their ministry with Union Mission through this coming Wednesday. Monday will be busy with the children and in preparation for the monthly food distribution. Tuesday will be Food distribution day, completing work on the facilities, and saying good bye to the children. We are truly thankful for these fine friends who have given so much to Union Mission.

2. I am thankful for the wonderful time of fellowship, food, and inspiration we received at the Union Mission banquet on Friday evening. Some 325 people gathered to celebrate the ministry of this fine institution. I am thankful to those who planned the event and worked to make it not only a time of celebration but also of worship.

3. I am thankful for Bethlehem Baptist, Littleton Baptist, and Enterprise Baptist who have worked hard to paint strategic rooms at Union Mission. The spirit of those working in the community last Saturday and this coming Saturday is truly inspirational.

4. I am thankful that I have the opportunity to serve our Lord in this setting.

LaCount Anderson

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Thank You

2010-03-27T14:50:00.001-07:00

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the youth group from Murfreesboro Baptist for spending their time working to paint some of the rooms at Union Mission today. We have had others from First Baptist Church, Ahoskie participate this week in the food distribution and still others are preparing to come in April, May, and June.

I am blessed to see God's people serve the poor and needy. Thank you for all you do in the name of Christ.

Hope Day will take place in Murfreesboro on May 1. If you are interested in helping get in touch.

LaCount Anderson

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The World in Atlanta

2010-03-07T04:48:00.000-08:00

As I write this I am sitting in a hotel in Atlanta, Ga. I am in Atlanta to work with a group of University Students on spring break missions to Atlanta. The students from Campbell University's Baptist Student Union arrived yesterday.

While waiting on our missionaries to arrive I went into the neighborhood we will be ministering. It is a typical small town neighborhood with lots of apartments, single family homes, schools, library, and churches. However a closer look will show you the inhabitants of this community are not from the United States. As I drove through the community I noticed people from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Somalia, walking the streets and carrying on life as normal. Closer research has revealed that this community has approximately 5000 families who are refugees from their homeland. There are another 20,000 people expected in the future.

The students from Campbell University will be working with men, women, and children in various activities including tutoring english, food and clothing distribution, and relationship building.

Thanks to the generosity of the students at Campbell, The Union Mission, and private individuals the food and clothing will be distributed to people very much in need. Just imagine coming from the other side of the world with no money, furniture, or friends and settling into suburban Atlanta with all the culture shock as well as expensive cost of living.

I am excited about the opportunity for these students. If you are reading this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for these fine young adults who have given their spring break to help others.

LaCount Anderson

Warmth and Cold

2010-02-20T17:18:00.001-08:00

I encountered him a few weeks ago. This homeless man who had been out in the cold all week. Apparently he had just been released from the hospital and had no place to go. A few nights on the street didn't serve him well as our temperatures have been cold. After a good meal, his health seemed to decline a bit more. We sent him to the hospital where we were hopeful that he could get the care he needed.

He came by today to tell me thanks for helping him that very cold day. It turns out he was in process of having a stroke and the hospital saved his life. Cold weather is not good for folks out on the street. This man is still on the street but knows we will help him if he comes by.

This past week with the high winds, the wind chill factor was treacherous. We had 3 men come into the shelter. I was able to provide a warm place to stay; it turns out two of these men decided that I had something to offer and they are willing to listen. So, they are staying with me at the shelter and begin new jobs on Monday. They will stay with us at the shelter attend church, Bible study, and have many conversations with me when they are not working. I guess you can say God used the cold winds to blow them our way and now we are able to show them the warmth of the light of Jesus.

LaCount Anderson

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God's People Giving

2010-02-10T09:55:00.001-08:00

I have been touched by two events that have taken place just this week. First, I sent out an appeal to our Churches about a specific need for the Faith House in Enfield, NC. It has turned out that Faith House had run out of LP Gas during this cold weather and their gas bill was staggering to say the least. In just a few hours I began to hear from our churches and promises of financial help began to come my way. In two days we began to get firm commitments of amounts to be sent and I am thankful to God's People for stepping up and helping these fine folks. We haven't reached the goal as of yet, but I am confident that God will provide for Faith House's need in due time.

Union Mission, in Roanoke Rapids, also had a breakdown in their heating system. We published the need in the quarterly newsletter and just today we received enough donations to pay the repair bill. I am pleased to tell you that once again the money for the repair came from churches in the community. God's people doing God's work.

It is hard work to run homeless shelters and there are always challenges that come our way. I am thankful that we depend upon God for his provision. I am thankful that God's people are taking the lead in partnering with us to do ministry to the poor and needy. What I am observing is Biblical. Thanks be to God!

LaCount Anderson

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Thank You

2010-01-28T10:19:00.001-08:00

I am truly amazed at the giving of God's people to our work. Many thanks to dear friends in Ahoskie who came to work so hard in putting together food boxes for distribution last week; they along with other friends from Roanoke Rapids put together some 250 boxes of food weighing about 50 pounds each. Thanks to the many volunteers who worked to distribute the food the next day.

I am grateful to the children and the teenagers at Murfreesboro Baptist Church for their welcome of me last evening. It was my pleasure to talk about what God is doing at Union Mission. I was particularly impressed with the maturity of the questions that were asked. We enjoyed role play of the "Good Samaritan" story and then discussed how each of us can follow the lesson of the Good Samaritan. I felt compassion from the children and teenagers as they sincerely wanted to know about the homeless people with whom I work. A great surprise to me was the wonderful gift of toiletry items for those who need it. My car is stocked full and I look forward to delivering the items to Union Mission soon.

We are grateful to Enterprise Baptist Church who plan to come and work on a couple of rooms at Union Mission in May; we are grateful to Pleasant Garden Baptist Church who will be coming to help us with music, Bible teaching, and facility repair; we are thankful to Murfreesboro Baptist Church who have a desire to come in March to assist with a project. Future groups later in the summer will be coming from as far as Tennessee and Indiana.

We will be developing a Community Garden in Roanoke Rapids and Buies Creek this spring. I am grateful to those who want to minister to others in this way. What a blessing the food will be to those who need it.

Pray for these who prepare to help us in Eastern NC. God is showering us with His people doing His work.

LaCount Anderson

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Little Rewards Along The Way

2010-01-08T07:50:00.001-08:00

Nick called today. Many times over the last year or so I have thought about young Nick. He had been released from prison and was transferred to my care at the Union Mission a few years ago. We concluded our work with Nick and I had not seen nor heard from him since early 2008.

I remember our first meeting and how shocked I was to find this man had been in prison since he was 15 years old. He had been sexually abused while in prison and had a host of problems. I also remember he was a difficult young man to work with due to his past history.

When I received his call today I was delighted to hear his voice. His voice was confident as he said “Rev. Anderson I was looking through some things and came upon your business card. I am calling today to tell you I am OK and to say thank you for your help while I was at Union Mission.” As I talked with him I discovered that he had a really good job; that he had bought a house; and that he was entering graduate school at the University of North Carolina. I celebrate with Nick his success. I am glad I had an opportunity to tell him about God and to spend some time teaching him a few years ago. It felt good to hear “thank you” from someone that society had pretty much discarded.

How many other Nicks are there? Many I am sure. I ask for your prayers as we work with homeless men here in Roanoke Rapids, NC and in eastern NC. They come from all walks of life, with different problems. One thing is for sure. They need God.

LaCount Anderson

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Successful Ministry

2009-12-27T11:19:00.001-08:00

I am grateful to so many who have joined our Eastern NC Poverty Network. Just some highlights of our ministry together this fall:

1,600 meals served the day before Thanksgiving at Union Mission.
1,100 meals served December 22 at Union Mission.
New showers constructed at Union Mission.
Christmas presents made available to homeless men at Union Mission.
Beginning the men’s homeless program at Union Mission.
Successful Community outreach programs on Saturday mornings at Edenton Baptist Church (Edenton) and Lakeside Baptist Church (Rocky Mount ).
Establishment of Eastern NC Poverty network at the http://fellowshipportal.ning.com site.

I am grateful to Edenton Baptist Church, Union Mission, First Baptist Church of Weaverville, NC , Campbell University and WMU of NC for responding to my request to become “Encourager” organizations. You partner with me in a unique way and I look forward to our close relationship in 2010. My work needs prayer support, financial support, and advice. Encouragers are very important to the ministry of Eastern NC Poverty Network. I am hopeful to have others join in our efforts in the coming year.

We look forward to strengthening our daily ministry at Union Mission and our continued relationship with Faith House. We will be working toward educational opportunities with the Poverty Simulation in Roanoke Rapids and having groups from different parts of the United States join us here in doing construction projects, teaching, and food distribution. New programs will be developed at Union Mission for children and families as well as the development of a strong program for residential men.

I am grateful for the opportunities to preach and speak in churches and organizations. It is my hope to be able to meet you personally in the coming year and discuss how you and I can partner together to minister to those who are in need. Thank you again for these beginnings of our new work together.

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Merry Christmas

2009-12-22T11:05:00.001-08:00

I encountered him today. This homeless man who had been out in the cold all week. Apparently he had just been released from the hospital and had no place to go. A few nights on the street didn’t serve him well as our temperatures have been cold. After a good meal, his health seemed to decline a bit more. We sent him to the hospital where we are hopeful that he can get the care he needs. Cold weather is not good for folks out on the street. Lets just stop from our Christmas preparations and offer a prayer for this man and all the others who have no place to go. I am thankful to the wonderful, caring people who aided this man today. They were not professionals; just folk like you and me here in NC who love God and want the best for His children.

I am thankful for Union Mission, Faith House, and other places that provide aid to “the least of these.”

Anna and I wish for you a Merry Christmas and we look forward to working with you in the coming year.

LaCount Anderson

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Encouragement

2009-12-07T16:41:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful for words of encouragement that come my way as I attempt to serve God as a member of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's Global Field Personnel team. There are some 135 of us working to share Christ all over the world.

This past weekend I had the privilege of being with North Brunswick Fellowship Church in Leland, NC. This is a CBF church start from 2003 and a very passionate group of people. As I shared with these friends about my work with the homeless and those who are "least of these," I was encouraged. You see, this church wants to change the entire direction they have been going because they feel a sense of calling to work with those who are less fortunate. I made some new friends in eastern NC.

Sunday was a day of excitement for me as I met with my encourager church, Edenton Baptist Church, in Edenton, NC. A missionary certainly needs encouragement when doing God's tasks. To walk into the church and be greeted by my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and to receive kind words of encouragement and prayers gave me the encouragement to go back out there today. Edenton Baptist Church has become home to me. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve along side these fine people of eastern NC.

This evening I felt like going to the gym to work off some holiday eating. When I returned I opened the mail box to find two cards. The RA's (boy's mission group) from First Baptist Church, Southern Pines, NC had sent me two beautiful Christmas Cards. One young RA Lad named Philip said "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid." As I read these words written in Philip's own hand I felt the encouragement from a young boy whom I have never met. Young David's card told me that "my group and me will be thinking of you guys." Thank you young men for encouraging me today. I hope I can come for a visit soon. I want to shake your hand.

Our work progresses and our network is just 5 months old now. Thank you for your many acts of encouragement. Thank you for your prayers as we all serve the Lord here in North Carolina.

Thankfulness

2009-11-29T19:24:00.001-08:00

I continue to be thankful for the blessings that have come our way. The blessing of giving to others has certainly touched my heart. Last week at The Union Mission in Roanoke Rapids we had the opportunity to give some 1600 meals to others in need. Many thanks to those volunteers who gave of their time and finances to make this community touch a reality.

We made the decision to give out bags of food daily to those who came by Union Mission with a need. The bags of groceries went out the front door and volunteers brought donations of food in the back door. The Union Mission will continue this practice of giving out bags of groceries as long as we have food available.

I am grateful to Gloria Caudle of The Faith House, who through their ministry in Enfield, NC, gave out food and dinners last week. We are thankful to have the opportunity to partner with Faith House; a shelter for women and children.

Murfreesboro Baptist Church has gifted The Union Mission with knitted hats. We have received a large box of hats from the church and will receive another box of hats to give to those in need this coming week. Thank you dear friends for your generosity.

Showers have been installed at Union Mission for the improvement of the bathroom. Due to the generosity of churches and individuals, the men’s program will be strengthened by more participants because of the improved shower facility.

It is indeed a privilege to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in northeastern NC.

LaCount Anderson

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Inspiring

2009-11-22T19:25:00.001-08:00

I had the unique opportunity to speak to the congregation at Reynoldson Baptist Church today. My day started early and my first session at the church was with a wonderful group of teenagers. We discussed being a missionary and then I spoke to them about my work with Union Mission in Roanoke Rapids, NC. I have the joy of working with the mission and assisting in the ministry there. As I spoke about the work a young man interrupted me and said “Did I hear you on the Radio this week? Your voice sounds like the guy on the radio talking about Union Mission.” I confessed that indeed it was me he heard. He said “I gave the Union Mission $38.00 after I heard about the work.” I was stunned. This nice young man appeared to be about 16 years old. As we continued to talk about serving God I silently thanked God that I was in the presence of these teenagers.

On Friday four pick up trucks arrived from the high school. These trucks were full of canned goods that had been collected by the students, themselves, for the Union Mission.

At this Thanksgiving time I am grateful for young lives that are hearing God’s voice to help the poor and needy. These young men and women are the future leaders of our towns and communities here in eastern NC. On second thought, they are not the future of our towns and communities; they are the present. Thank you young men and women for setting the example for the rest of us.

May God truly bless you as you seek to serve our Lord.

LaCount Anderson

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New Partners to our Network

2009-10-29T13:12:00.000-07:00

I am excited to tell you about some of our new partners. One of the most important tools a missionary can posses is prayer partners. At the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship we have a program for churches and organizations to involve themselves in the ministry of a missionary. Among the responsibilities of an Encourager church or organization is that they pray.

I am grateful to Edenton Baptist Church, Edenton, NC for their willingness to become an Encourager Church to me. They have agreed to pray regularly for my work; support our ministry financially; become involved in doing short term mission projects in eastern NC; and assist my work administratively. Rev. David Brooks is the senior minister to this congregation.

First Baptist Church of Weaverville, NC has also agreed to serve as an Encourager Church for our work. First Baptist Church will pray regularly for the work; support our ministry financially; become involved in doing short term mission projects in western NC; and assist us administratively in our ministry. Rev. Jim McCoy serves as the senior minister to First Baptist Church, Weaverville.

The Union Mission of Roanoke Rapids has entered into a relationship with me as an Encourager organization. The staff and board of directors have agreed to pray regularly for me; and support my work financially. Mr. Jeff Holm serves as the Board of Directors Chairman.

If you would like to know how your congregation or group can participate as an Encourager, please get in touch with me: Email- landerson@thefellowship.info

LaCount Anderson
Global Field Personnel-North Carolina
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

More information: www.thefellowship.info/anderson

Building A Ministry

2009-09-30T15:50:00.000-07:00

If you had told me one year ago I would be in the midst of beginning a new ministry I would have not believed you. Last October I began a serious study of missions and as I began to study articles, read books, and talk to missionaries, God began to deal with me about something special He wanted me to do.

I was very happy at the homeless shelter working with the homeless teaching and counseling. About February of this year Anna and I took a trip to work in Swaziland a small country in southern Africa. While there I began to compare our work in NC to that of the ministries we were seeing in Africa. A common thread began to emerge. The need for food is the same as is the need for God.

I continued my studies and began to seriously consider an opportunity that had presented itself to serve as a missionary in eastern NC. The task is to develop a ministry to the homeless and relate to poverty issues. Now, much is already being done but the workers are few and I began to see how I might be able to assist churches to work together to provide for needs and ultimately present the Gospel message "to the least of these."

I accepted the call of God to leave the homeless shelter, step out in faith, to begin a new work with Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. We are three months into the work and I am pleased to report that:
1. A Bible Study has been organized.
2. A successful community garden helped provide food this summer.
3. A network of churches, organizations, partners, individuals, and small businesses has been organized. We call it The Eastern NC Poverty Network.
4. Some funds have been raised for the budget of the new work.
5. New ideas are surfacing through networking.
6. Short-term mission groups are agreeing to serve in northeastern NC this spring and summer.

You are invited to participate in any of the ways listed above. If you are reading this and you are anticipating a mission project for your group this coming Spring or Summer I hope you will get in touch: www.missionpartner.net
Mission Partner can help you with planning and all the background logistics. I would encourage only experienced teams come to northeastern NC. This new work will challenge and will be very inconvenient. The word "flexible" will be stretched just a bit more on a mission project to our mission field.

We are especially excited to have senior adults and youth mission groups come to work in eastern NC. I am excited about those who have already signed up.

If you would like to talk about missions for your adult group or your youth group I invite you to see our web site: www.missionpartner.net for details. I will also be glad to talk to you. Give me a call at 877-826-0008.
Email: lacount@missionpartner.net.

Close to Home

2009-09-20T11:32:00.000-07:00

I so enjoyed a recent speaker from South Africa. He and his family serve in an area of the world that I have been privileged to visit many times. My heart was touched as I heard the appeal and saw the slides. What was even more moving was to hear the local sponsor of this speaker. With passion and excitement he invited us to join in the ministry, some 8,000 miles away, and give our financial gifts toward the wonderful work God is doing.

As I heard the speaker describe a scene of a particular African outdoor bathroom, my thoughts turned toward my friends who serve as missionaries in the state of Kentucky. I thought to myself "friend, I would like for you to visit my friends who serve the Lord faithfully in Kentucky, not too far from home." Then as I continued to think about this speaker, who lives in northeastern North Carolina, I began to think about the ministry God has called us to do here where we live. My thoughts moved about an hour north of where this dear brother lives, to a particular place where the bathroom facilities are just as poor as we have seen in Africa.

One does not have to travel far from home to see the need around us. Look next door, down the street, or up the road. People are in need of physical and spiritual help.

If you would like to help us with ministry to those in poverty, I would invite you to join us at Cooperative Baptist Fellowship with our new ministry. This link can help you know about what we are doing, and also give you opportunity to give financially to work "close to home." www.thefellowship.info/anderson Your pledge, even if it is as little as $5.00 per month, can help us begin a ministry to those who are hurting here in northeastern NC. I would love to talk to you about our work and also speak at your church. Get in touch: landerson@thefellowship.info

LaCount Anderson

LaCount Anderson serves as Global Field Personnel in northeastern NC with Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

Gangs and the Gospel

2009-09-12T09:43:00.000-07:00

Last evening I attended an interesting meeting at a church in Halifax County, North Carolina. It was presented to me as a “revival” service. What a wonderful gathering of Christians from all over the county. People of various backgrounds, and races were worshipping together. A wonderful experience! At the conclusion of the worship time one adult lady came forward to receive Christ into her life. All who attended were glad they were present. This gathering of almost 200 people witnessed a life changing miracle. I am glad I attended.

Today as I reflect upon the experience I believe that the event did not reach its goal. You see, the goal as it was presented to me, was “to reach the gang members in town for Christ.” Particular emphasis was placed upon the reaching of gang members that have invaded this small community in Halifax County. Over and over in the worship service the preacher referred to the gathering as a gathering of “disciples.” Meaning the room was full of church folks. I did not witness the presence of anyone looking as if they belonged to a gang, yet noticed church vans and folks dressed in church clothes proudly carrying their Bibles to the service.

The night before, the leaders of this event compelled the faithful to meet and blanket the community with brochures inviting everyone to the worship service. It was impressive sights to see believers from different congregations give out some 950 brochures to the community. I live in that town on a middle class street with well manicured lawns and wondered why no one came on my street to leave a brochure with our neighbors. Then I remembered “this service is to reach gang members.”

Rumor was the preacher for the evening was enlisted because of his testimony of being involved in gang activity and what Christ had done for him personally. I actually was attracted to attend the event out of curiosity and showed up to hear his testimony. I never heard the testimony from the preacher. He didn’t tell us much about his journey and I left the event somewhat disappointed. I hoped for some encouraging words for myself in this worship service but really just heard the same old stuff you hear in a gathering of evangelicals.

So why did we meet? So that dear lady would have opportunity to accept Christ into her life. Period. That is it. Nothing more. That in itself is reason to meet for worship. It is not the fault of the preacher and those who were asked to lead the event. They were present and were obedient to their task.

This leaves me in wondering why someone felt that gang members in an “inner-city” setting would actually come to a church service in a middle-class part of town where the membership is white and middle-classed. I guess it could be accomplished, but not this time.

Secondly, is having a “revival” service the best we can do to reach gang members for Christ? I wonder why the idea of actually going to where the gangs are located was not included in the planning discussion. “Revival” services are pleasant memories of the past when we lived in a 20th century where evangelistic services actually worked to reach people. Is an old fashioned “revival” service something that still reaches people? Yes, it did last night with the one person who responded to the Gospel. Did the “revival” service reach the gang population in Halifax County last night? Sadly, no.

I hope that churches will begin to think outside the box, in the future, when they are prompted by God to do something for Him. I hope they will think carefully about what God would have them do before they fall back on the comfortable. Saying we are going to have church at such and such time, inviting people to the event, and printing brochures is a rather comfortable thing to do. It requires a lot of work and is fairly easy for success. Going to the neighborhood and actually risking a bit to talk to a gang member might be more of an uncomfortable thing to do for God.

Henry Blackaby in Experiencing God speaks of the “God Sized Tasks” that God calls us to do. I don’t doubt the reaching of this town and its gang population is a “God sized task.” I believe God’s call is clear and he wants the churches in the community to take on this task. Putting the right action to the task is where we all need help.

I am pleased that the churches that participated in worship last night do more than meet. These same people meet often to provide food to the needy, and clothes, and diapers to those who need them. The meeting of these needs will eventually affect the gang member in some way. These churches are right on target in meeting the needs of the poor and needy. Our challenge is to prayerfully listen to God, those gang members, and community members before acting. Then the quality of what we do for Him will be more affective.

LaCount Anderson serves as Global Field Personnel for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in northeastern NC.

Groceries

2009-08-29T08:08:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I had the privilege of helping WMU of NC on a retreat in downtown Raleigh, NC. The retreat was a poverty simulation where participants for a little while (24 hours) would experience what it is like to be homeless. Jan Cartledge and Margaret Harding did an excellent job in leading the participants to think about decisions that need to be made as a homeless person.

Another activity we experienced was to participate in a world hunger dinner. Participants drew sticks which determined in what country's place they would eat dinner. After taking a place at the assigned spot participants would then be given a dinner that would replicate what one would eat for a meal.

The meal that touched me most was the meal for Africa. Participants were served a chicken wing (that had been boiled in a pot of water) and a small serving of corn meal (resembled grits). According to my personal experience this was an accurate accounting of what someone on that large continent might have for a meal.

I was reminded of my last trip to the country of Swaziland (southern Africa) this past March. One day we entered a grocery store to purchase some items for children who had no food at a school we were ministering. I was particularly taken by the fact that the shelves in that particular store were not as well stocked as I was used to seeing on visits to American grocery stores. On this particular visit the lines were long with people purchasing whatever they could purchase for their family.

Last evening Anna and I were visiting a nearby city where we entered an upscale grocery store. What a wonderful and inviting store! It is nothing like our grocery stores in Scotland Neck. We found ourselves almost childlike, discovering items on well stocked shelves. We were particularly impressed with the meat counter. Anything desired could be purchased at this meat counter. The store is so up scale that I felt somewhat uncomfortable in my visit. The perfect lighting displayed colors of the produce that would tempt one to purchase an artichoke or bunch of carrots.

Our thoughts returned to that small grocery in Swaziland. We wondered what a Swazi person would think if they were magically transported to the American grocery. As I purchased my raisin bran and bread I said thanks to God for his provision. I am now reminded that because I am blessed I need to take that responsibility to care for others who are less fortunate.

I am reminded of the saying on a t-shirt I own....."You Have One Life....Do Something."

LaCount Anderson
www.missionpartner.net
www.thefellowship.info/anderson

New Work Beginning

2009-08-11T08:28:00.000-07:00

I am changing the name of this blog to Eastern NC Poverty Network because of something new beginning in our ministry. As you know, I have begun additional responsibilities with Cooperative Baptist Fellowship serving as Global Field Personnel. I am still doing the same thing just a bit more focused. We are concentrating on ministry in north eastern, NC. This is an area of NC that includes some of the poorest counties in the state. You are invited to join our new social network: http://fellowshipportal.ning.com/ Once you have signed up then sign up for the group entitled "Eastern NC Poverty Network". This will help you stay in touch in specific ways concerning our new ministry to poverty in NC.

My desire is to help you in sharing with "the least of these." Currently we are busy working with the homeless in inner-city settings; distributing food in the rural areas; teaching classes to addicts; leading Bible studies at homeless shelters; and leading seminars to churches desiring to know more about poverty.

I invite you to view my web site: www.thefellowship.info/anderson

We continue to be busy helping churches and school groups do short term mission projects specifically aimed at homelessness and poverty relief in other parts of the country. If you are interested in your group doing a mission project please don't hesitate to contact us at www.missionpartner.net

Thanks,
LaCount Anderson
252-945-5398
lacount@thefellowship.info

New Projects Set at Mission Partner

2009-08-03T17:37:00.000-07:00

Hello from Mission Partner!

Check out our new mission project for the Fall. Great for adult groups! Whether it be music, service project, Bible teaching, handy man projects, you can make an impact for the Lord with the people in the West Virginia mountains. Click this link for details: http://www.missionpartner.net/fall_2009_calendar.html

Our spring 2010 mission projects are set: Click this link for details:
http://www.missionpartner.net/spring2010.html

It is not too early to make summer plans: Click this link for Summer 2010 details: http://www.missionpartner.net/summer_2009.html

To view our web site: www.missionpartner.net
Send me an email if you have questions : lacount@missionpartner.net
Give us a call 877-826-0008 (toll free)

LaCount Anderson

Summer and Fall Opportunities

2009-06-18T08:58:00.000-07:00

I am so pleased with the progress of Mission Partner's projects this year. We have done some amazing things in Appalachia thanks to the groups who have gone on mission. We have completed food distribution, home repair, painting project, musical concerts to mention just a few. Each of these project represent people in need. Someone receiving food when food is low at home; a fresh coat of paint in a homeless shelter men's dormatory helps men to feel comfortable as they continue to set goals for their future, hearing the teens sing in worship was a highlight for a small mountain church in Kentucky.

This summer we have students who have chosen to go on mission rather than hanging out with their friends. These are the good things we don't hear on the evening news. I am so proud of our Mission Partners.

If you are reading this and perhaps you want to get your group involved, please send me an email. It is not too late. Unfortunately we have had a cancellation or two this year and the dates are still open for ministry.

How about a fall opportunity to share Christ through mission work. We are waiting on your call. Call us a 877-826-0008 or email: lacount@missionpartner.net

Sincerely,
LaCount Anderson
www.missionpartner.net

On Mission

2009-06-14T18:10:00.000-07:00

I have just returned from Jenkins, KY where University Hills Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC is on mission this week. It has been a tremendous blessing to see students from grade 7-12 serving in music missions. They have sung in a Wal-Mart parking lot, and today have sung in a small church way back in the "hollers." I am particularly impressed with this group of 37 singers and they way they share the Gospel through music. Each face communicates a deep relationship with Christ. Thank you for going on mission to reach "the least of these."

We have another group from First Baptist Church Scotland Neck NC on mission this week. They have arrived in Williamsburg, KY and have been busy getting settled into their lodging. Already they are facing challenges and I encourage you to pray for this team in particular. Some of them are on mission for the first time.

I will record updates as often as I receive them on these two groups. Thank you for praying for them.

Mission Partner is busy setting up fall music opportunities. We have many opportunities to share through the medium of music.

We are busy setting up light construction projects with home repair for the fall. A church is under construction in Kentucky and home repair is needed in Madison County, North Carolina.

Get in touch: email: lacount@missionpartner.net Phone: 877-826-0008.

LaCount Anderson
www.missionpartner.net

New Areas

2009-05-31T06:33:00.000-07:00

I am pleased about some new things that are developing with Mission Partner. We are very busy making plans for mission opportunities for groups in September, October, and November. This is a great time for adult groups to do mission work and enjoy the cool weather of fall. There are opportunities for service in West Virginia, Asheville, NC area, Eastern North Carolina to mention a few. It is important to begin planning now for fall mission opportunities. Whether it be sharing the Gospel in a prison setting, repairing a front porch, or painting in a homeless shelter, we can assist you with the project getting you right in front of people in need. Please give us a call at 877-826-0008 or contact us by email: lacount@missionpartner.net.

A second new thing begins on July 1. I am privileged to begin serving with Cooperative Baptist Fellowship as Global Field Personnel. This will be an opportunity of service for me personally. God has spoken to me concerning homelessness and poverty issues. My work will be to assist churches in being the presence of Christ in their own back yard. I plan to roll up my sleeves and work along side other Christians to offer any assistance I can to help those in need.

The work of Mission Partner is strengthened through partnerships like that of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. To read about CBF check out their website: www.thefellowship.info.

LaCount Anderson
www.missionpartner.net

Loss

2009-04-24T10:45:00.000-07:00

This week had a sad theme of loss for me personally. On Tuesday the Union Mission of Roanoke Rapids, where I spend a great deal of time, lost their cook “Miss Betty.” She just didn’t show up for work. After several hours we discovered that Betty had become ill and had driven herself to the emergency room at the hospital. Apparently her condition was serious because we heard next that they had air lifted her to a regional hospital for emergency surgery. Miss Betty died following the surgery.

She was 76 years old and was an old fashioned cook if you will. She enjoyed cooking the way our grandparents cooked. I often enjoyed that good old cooking when I chose to eat at the Union Mission. She also had an old fashioned faith. I loved hearing Betty sing the old hymns in the kitchen as she made her macaroni and cheese. The last image I see in my mind of Betty was Monday afternoon. About 4 PM I wandered through the dining room to see her stationed at the end of the dining table reading her old Bible.

I experienced loss of another type later in the week. Two of the homeless men I was counseling and discipling left the care of The Union Mission. What I mean by that is they just walked off in the darkness and probably will never be seen again. This happens often in rescue mission work. They are just suddenly not there! For me it is similar to a death. Spending hours in teaching the Bible, counseling, and interacting with men causes an attachment. I know it is going to happen, but I still can’t help getting attached to the people God places in my care. Both of these men are Christians who have great problems with substance abuse. We were moving forward so well into a new life in Christ that didn’t involve alcohol or cocaine. Now they are gone.

I have invested hours in three Christian Friends this week and now they are gone. I am deeply saddened by each loss but I must say am happy to have known them; for the time I had with them. I hope I had an influence on the lives of my friends. I know they had a great influence on me.

LaCount Anderson
www.missionpartner.net

You can contact LaCount Anderson by email at: lacount@missionpartner.net

A Garden?

2009-04-01T08:05:00.000-07:00

As you know an interest I have, actually a passion I have, is ministry to homeless people. I became interested through work assignments helping churches doing short-termed ministry in places like Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, as well as Washington, DC. This tremendous need has manifested itself in my life in such a way that I am now focusing most of my ministry toward aiding in poverty and homeless issues.

I began looking at my own neighborhood. It is rural and is in one of the poorest counties in the state of North Carolina. Homeless people don't look like the homeless we see in the large cities in our country. In fact, in our area, they look like the guy or girl you would see in the aisle of the local Wal-Mart. I have partnered with The Union Mission of Roanoke Rapids, NC to do whatever I can to assist. As I continued to look around me I began to see our church and an African American church partner to give food relief once per month to the citizens in need in our town of Scotland Neck, NC.

I mentioned the idea casually to my Sunday School class in the context of a lesson I was teaching. This idea had been bouncing around in my head for months. A community garden is now beginning in Scotland Neck through the ministry of our Sunday School class at First Baptist Church. Mentioning the idea spurned action in securing acreage, farm equipment, and knowledge from willing Christians. Within just hours of the suggestion in our class, we were in the gardening business. The thing that most impresses me about what is occuring is the willing spirit of people who want to help. We are going to give the produce away to people who need it unconditionally and no strings attached.

I am a city boy. I know absolutely nothing about gardening. I have a few fears as we plunge into this project. Questions like: "Where do you buy seeds and plants?"; "Who is going to pay for this?"; "Will we have enough workers for the harvest?" I am not alarmed by these questions because personally I have been down this faith road before. God has always been there for me without fail. All I know to do is to trust God and follow the advice of Henry Blackaby: "join God where he is already working..." So, we are putting plants and seed in the ground the week of Easter.

I'll keep you posted on the end of this story.....

LaCount Anderson

LaCount Anderson can be contacted at lacount@missionpartner.net

Take a look at his website: www.missionpartner.net

Beans and Bibles

2009-03-07T14:58:00.000-08:00

While traveling in Swaziland we had opportunity to visit homesteads and schools. The early morning devotional times at the schools was always very touching to us. While visiting the schools we discovered that the schools in this country were not supported by the government. One particular school didn't have running water because they didn't have enough students to warrant having the water. A representative from each classroom would come to a main source of water with a bucket. The bucket would be filled and brought back to the classroom for all to enjoy. I was particularly heart sick at this sight since the temperatures were approaching 120 degrees. I remember the headmaster of the school admonishing the children to drink plenty of water that particular morning.

At this same campus was a hut that served as the cooking station for the school. Several women were gathered around a fire with an iron pot. They would cook beans for the children to have at lunch. We discovered that the school was very low on food so it was our privilege to go to the store and purchase 4 large bags of beans. We delivered it one morning to the headmaster who was delighted to receive the gift. He told us that the gift would provide lunch for his children for a week. One hundred ninety children were able to eat lunch that week from the beans we provided.

We discovered that Bibles were available printed in SiSwati. We also noted that people are begging for Bibles. We could give out as many Bibles as we could purchase. There is a great hunger for the word of God in Swaziland. Can you just imagine the smile on the face of a little girl who received her very first Bible? It was incredible to see the joy that a Bible could bring to someone receiving God's word. My, oh my, we take so many things for granted!

I invite you to go to our web site: http://www.missionpartner.net/ebooks.html You can purchase one of our books there for instant download. The money earned from these ebooks will go to purchase Bibles and other items that Mission Partner supports.

I would love to hear from you. You can contact me on Facebook. Send me an email: lacount@missionpartner.net. You can also get in touch at http://twitter.com/lacount3

LaCount Anderson
www.missionpartner.net

Appalachia and Africa

2009-02-01T03:31:00.000-08:00

In just a couple of weeks my wife, Anna, and I will be heading to the small country of Swaziland located in southern Africa. While we are in Africa we will be preaching and presenting music for revival services that will take place in the north eastern section of the country. We will also be visiting public schools and homesteads in the region. It will be our privilege to assist with revival efforts that will ultimately lead to the beginning of a new church in the region.

Swaziland is a small poverty stricken nation on the Indian Ocean between Mozambique and South Africa. You have seen the images on TV and I can witness to you that it is as bad as you may think after viewing those images. It will be our pleasure to share the love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ to those we encounter. Our prayer is that not only will we be able to share the Gospel but also be able to share how one can lean on God to get through the day. How God wants a personal relationship with each of us and how he desires to guide us and help us.

Eight thousand miles west of Swaziland, here in the United States, is a region that is also in need of the Gospel. Appalachia has people who live in poverty and have as many needs as our neighbors on the other side of the world. They too need to know the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to learn how to have a personal relationship with our Lord. A relationship that is real and one that can be accessed daily.

It is our calling as Christians to reach out to people with the Gospel. We must tell others. We at Mission Partner are anxious to assist you as your church or school group reaches out. Whether it be a homeless shelter in a major city, a community back in the "hollers of Kentucky, " or on the other side of the world, we stand ready to assist you with our best efforts. I invite you to take a look at our website: www.missionpartner.net to learn how you can assist.

Much of our work is funded through our normal operation of assisting groups. Then there is the additional needs we have encountered that we have no budget. For example, the medical and personal needs of homeless men at a shelter. We thank you for your continued financial support.

To help with those needs we have published a small ebook. It is not fancy and by no means a prize winner in literary journalism. It is an effort to share with you a few stories that come from our work, as well as some things learned about our faith along the way. It is called People to People.

The cost is $10.00 and can be purchased at this link:

http://www.missionpartner.net/ebooks.html

Your purchase will help us do those extra things that are so desperately needed as we attempt to share Christ with others.

Thanks for taking the time to read this blog and please get in touch with me.

LaCount Anderson
email: lacount@missionpartner.net
Phone: 877-826-0008
Mail: P.O. Box 165 Scotland Neck, NC 27874

Setting up Mission Trip Lodging

2008-12-05T05:58:00.000-08:00

Setting up lodging and finding a good project is always the hardest part of planning a mission trip. Are you planning a mission project this spring or summer?

Mission Partner can save you money. We pass on the savings to our mission teams. The way we can do that is to set lodging early. We have skilled professionals, in the field of providing lodging for groups, that are already at work. If we can set your lodging early then we can pass the savings on to you.

Our already low price of $259.00 per person (for five nights) can be slashed by just making early registration. We walk you through the process and personally plan your project to reach your group’s goals.

Why not register now and use that savings to help someone in need?

Check out our web site: www.missionpartner.net

We specialize in youth and adult mission projects for church and school.

Inner-City and Mountain Mission Experiences (especially home repair for the poor).

Check out our Africa project need:

http://www.squidoo.com/mission-partner

Give me a call: 877-826-0008 or email: lacount@missionpartner.net

LaCount Anderson

Director, Mission Partner

Mission Partner Opportunities

2008-11-21T10:43:00.000-08:00

It is about Thanksgiving time and I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your participation in Mission Partner this year. We are having a great year working in Appalachia, Chicago, and Eastern North Carolina with mission projects. On behalf of all the folks you have helped we want to say Thank You. You have touched lives with the Gospel. Meeting the physical needs first, then the Gospel message. I am proud of your hard work.

Over the past few years I have put together a couple of mission stories that have been published in an ebook called People To People. The stories are about folks in Africa, West Virginia, the Northeast of the US and a story about my family. People To People is a project to help raise money for a Mission Partner evangelistic trip to southern Africa early next year. The invitation came quickly and our budget was not available to fund the project. People To People is only $10.00. If you can help us by making a purchase we would be grateful. Just click on this link: http://www.missionpartner.net/ebooks.html and follow the instructions. It is an immediate download. We can take Master Card/Visa as well as Pay Pal and your check. Thanks in advance for your support of the Africa project.

Spring Trips are developing. I am pleased to report that Campbell University, NC State University BSU and Alice Lloyd College will be joining with Mission Partner this year. We have several churches that have begun the process of planning and are looking forward to working in mission projects this coming summer. It is just the right time to begin thinking about your student, youth, adult, or family mission project. We have a brochure available and would be happy to send it to you. You can also find out information at http://www.missionpartner.net/ . Projects to Appalachia as well as major cities are available.

Please remember the ministry to the homeless in your area. There are many people in every community of our country that work tirelessly to assist those who are down on their luck. Much will be said in the coming days about the homeless. This is a gentle reminder that ministry to "the least of these" happens every single day. Don't forget them. Locate the shelter in your community and give money, food, or time. Do it all year long and not just at Thanksgiving and Christmas. For information on homelessness you can contact http://www.agrm.org/.

I look forward to hearing from you! Get in touch!
LaCount Anderson
Mission Partner http://www.missionpartner.net/
877-826-0008
check out http://squidoo.com/missionpartner

Helping the homeless

2008-10-13T12:43:00.000-07:00

He came into the center today pretty dirty and exhausted. I noticed his dirty red sweatshirt and it was apparent from his facial expression that he had somehow found himself in a situation that he could not handle. As I talked to him I asked him how such a nice mannerly young 19 year old man could find himself in a place like this.

Erik began telling me a story of a week that involved prostitution, drugs, alcohol and finally, last night, leaving two supposed friends whom he discovered were not friends at all. He came from New York City and had left a center for Adolescents. He knew his counselor’s name. With a couple of clicks on my computer I was eventually connected to his counselor who was frantic at his disappearance.

With funds that you donate to Mission Partner I was able to buy this kid a bus ticket to New York, and feed him some lunch. Within an hour of meeting Erik, he was on his way back to New York City with feelings of relief and hope for the future. Oh, by the way…we talked about God during lunch.

Would you like to become involved in caring for the homeless?

Get in touch: lacount@missionpartner.net

Send us a check: Mission Partner
P.O. Box 165
Scotland Neck, NC 27874

We need your help.

LaCount Anderson

Waiting and Trusting

2008-09-23T10:14:00.000-07:00

Back in the 1960’s I boarded the yellow church bus in Savannah, Ga. Our church group traveled to Ridgecrest Baptist Assembly for Church Music Week in North Carolina. This was my first big trip anywhere and you can imagine the excitement and fear I felt. My mother wasn’t very excited about her 10 year old boy traveling so far away from home and I was a bit nervous about whether I would fit in the group.

On the way my fears subsided; I realized that my mother was over reacting and I was going to have a great time. The cookies she sent along helped gain new friends quickly and pretty soon I was well on my way to an experience I remember to this day.

During my week at Ridgecrest we had opportunity to hear the very best in church music. There was one memorable performance of Felix Mendelssohn’s Hymn of Praise. Within that work is a beautiful duet :

I waited for the Lord,
He inclined unto me,
He heard my complaint.
O blest are they that hope and trust in Him.
- W. Bartholomew

Over the years the Lord has pulled that tune and text to my memory many times as I have struggled with different events that have happened to me. The text comes from Psalm 40:1-4a.

“I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the Lord.
Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust…” (Psalm 40:1-4a NIV)

As I look at this scripture there are two words that are very important:
Wait and Trust

Wait:
The writer of this Psalm, David, found himself in a desperate and hopeless situation. He described himself as being in a hole or a pit. This pit was a graphic illustration of a pit dug for water. He imagined himself to be at the bottom in whatever situation he found himself.

He said I “waited patiently for the Lord.” Wait for the Lord. You know, God doesn’t wear a watch or pay attention to our timetables. Time is something man created. I must confess that waiting on Him to pull me out of a pit with my situation is terribly difficult. What I attempt to do is to try harder to get myself out and what happens is I become exhausted in trying to climb out of my pit. David learned to wait patiently. Most of the time we cry out to God for help and then we don’t wait long enough for God to act. After a short while, we start to do things on our own again instead of continuing to ask God and wait for him to act. David waited patiently for God and God in his time, acted. He lifted David out of the pit and set him on a rock.

Trust:
Another verse of Scripture I learned as a boy is Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” (NIV) You can’t wait upon the Lord unless you trust Him. Even though you don’t understand everything about the pit you find yourself, and waiting on the Lord doesn’t seem logical. You trust Him anyway. You trust him to lift you out of that pit.

God wants to deliver you from the pit of grief, a personal sin you have committed, a lost dream, or a shattered family. He wants to give you a new song. David waited patiently for God to act and God in his time, acted. He lifted David out of the pit and set him on a rock.

What is your pit?

Cry out to God! Stand on the Rock! Sing your new song!

-LaCount Anderson
Is the Director and Missionary for Mission Partner
www.missionpartner.net

How Does Reading The Bible Affect You?

2008-09-19T13:01:00.000-07:00

“Disturbing” was the word he used. As Jimmy listened to the story of Abraham offering Isaac as a sacrifice he actually became very upset. Jimmy is a homeless man who is in a recovery program at a homeless shelter that Mission Partner sponsors. I was speaking at their chapel service this week and it became apparent as I read the scripture from Genesis 22 that some of these men had never heard this story. The response actually took me aback somewhat, and I remember having to work hard to make my point as I watched them react to this very emotional story.

As I worked with the street people this week I read again privately the old story of how God tested Abraham by requesting that he sacrifice his son on the altar. In my mind I could see the boy lying on the altar with his father’s knife just inches away. It is disturbing to read. Actually I hope it is disturbing for you to read. The question for we long-time Christians? Does reading those stories in our Bible get our attention? Or do we just brush them off like we do rerun T.V. commercials?

I am glad that I had this experience this week in watching someone who has never read the “old, old story” become moved. Moved to the point of even being disturbed. I am grateful to have the Bible and have a renewed commitment to read it often.

Mission Partner is partnering with several homeless shelters in the southeast to provide services to homeless, repair work to facilities, and a host of other needs. Get in touch at http://www.missionpartner.net/. To help our ministry to the homeless we have opened an on-line store called Mission Mart. Money earned from the sale of items in the store will help us provide Bibles, educational materials, and counseling to those whom our declining economy has affected the most. Many thanks to those who regularly sponsor our ministry financially. We are an agency of People Helping People of Winchester, Inc. and your financial support is tax deductible. You can assist greatly by making your check out to Mission Partner or just click this link and buy something from Mission Mart: http://www.missionpartner.net/MPMart_.html

Pray for: Union Mission of Roanoke Rapids, NC; Faith House in Enfield, NC; The Emergency Shelter in Williamsburg, KY; and the new homeless shelter beginning in Winchester, KY.

-LaCount Anderson
Director of Mission Partner and a member of The Association of Gospel Rescue Missions

Getting Ready For Fall and Next Year

2008-08-21T16:32:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,

What a successful summer we have had! Thanks to so many of you we were able to accomplish much out there in the cities and in the mountains. If you went with us on a mission trip I cannot thank you enough for allowing Mission Partner to partner with your group.

We didn't finish some of our projects and we plan to continue this fall. If you are looking for a fall opportunity to help someone please get in touch with us.

We have needs in:

Kentucky - finishing up a resource center for the needy.
Kentucky- beginning construction on a new homeless shelter.
Kentucky- complete 8 apartments (dry wall, paint, plumbing) for a homeless shelter.
Kentucky - purchasing and installing a mobile clinic for a small mountain community.
Kentucky - work on a girls camp facility.
Kentucky - home repair for elderly and needy families.
North Carolina - home repair for elderly and needy families.
North Carolina - Homeless shelter: adopt a room to paint, carpet, and furnish with basic bed, etc.

Summer is almost over but the needs continue.

Mission Partner is also in the ministry of Bible teaching, conducting worship services, and counseling. We have partnered with a local homeless shelter to do ministry to homeless men. If you are reading this and would like to know how to help, please get in touch with us. We currently need money as well as a volunteer to lead in worship on Wednesday afternoon.

Next year will bring more ministry to homeless in the inner-city of Chicago and Pittsburgh. We will be sharing Christ in the mountains of Appalachia through developing relationships with families, meeting their needs in home repair and food distribution.

Thanks for all you do and please let us hear from you!

www.missionpartner.net

877-826-0008 (toll free)

LaCount Anderson : email - lacount@missionpartner.net

A huge Thank You!

2008-08-04T06:12:00.000-07:00

We are finishing up our work for the summer in Appalachia, Philidelphia, Pittsburgh, and Chicago. I want to say a sincere thank you to each group that assisted with mission projects in these areas. I believe our second year of ministry will make an even larger impact.

New Information: We will be offering to those who have been on mission with Mission Partner a discount for the coming year. It is our way of saying thank you. We realize that you have chosen us and give thanks to our Lord for your partnership with Mission Partner.

I encourage you to look at our web site: www.missionpartner.net. There are new features to the site, like a calendar, to help you with planning. You will also note on that calendar fall mission projects.

New Emphasis for this year will be homelessness in America. Perhaps your group would like to assist with significant ministry to the homeless. Get in touch with me at: lacount@missionpartner.net to discuss the options. You can also call us toll free at 877-826-0008. I also hang out at www.facebook.com ! I would love to be your friend on facebook!

If you have pictures from your work this summer please send them. I am hopefully planning to put them up on the web site in a photo album.

I look forward to talking to you soon.

LaCount Anderson

Success at Mission Partner!

2008-06-10T08:25:00.000-07:00

I am happy to report that Mission Partner has seen great success in the 2008 year. As you may know this has been our first year in ministry. By year's end we will have partnered with numerous volunteers from colleges and churches around the United States. By year's end we will have had more than 500 volunteers sharing the Gospel of Christ to people in the United States.

We have had a few obstacles this year. One big obstacle was my unexpected heart surgery! I am happy to report that I have made a full recovery and God has blessed me with wonderful health.

I invite you to pray for the following churches who will be working very hard on mission projects in June:

First Baptist Church of Scotland Neck, NC serving in Winchester, KY

First Baptist Church of Clayton, NC serving in Pittsburgh, PA

First Baptist Church of Kingston, TN serving in Chicago, IL

Mansfield Foursquare Gospel Church, of Mansfield, OH serving in Corbin, KY

We appreciate your prayer support!

A new emphasis will be added to our ministry for the fall of 2008 as well as 2009. Mission Partner is committed to meeting the needs of the homeless and those who are near homeless. There are many centers throughout this country who spend each and every day in ministry to those who find themselves homeless. We have been involved this year on a small level providing food, counseling, worship, and Bible teaching. Much more can be done and we are going to stretch ourselves a bit to partner in this ministry. I will keep you posted about opportunities to come.

LaCount Anderson

http://www.missionpartner.net/

877-826-0008 (toll free)

email: lacount@missionpartner.net

Don't Forget http://www.goodsearch.com/

They pay Mission Partner every time you do a search on the internet.

See our earlier blog concerning http://www.goodsearch.com/ and http://www.goodshop.com/

You Can Help By Just Clicking

2008-01-26T06:14:00.000-08:00

What if Mission Partner earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support our cause? Well, now it can!

GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up!

GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you’ll be supporting your favorite cause.

Just go to http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=866994
And, be sure to spread the word!

Download this toolbar for a more convenient way of searching:
http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbars.aspx

Make sure you indicate Mission Partner as your charity!

Benefit From A Trip With Mission Partner

2007-10-17T14:08:00.001-07:00

I would like to share a story I wrote about a youth group that went on mission in Appalachia. I hope it touches your heart. Remember to contact us at www.missionpartner.net for your next experience in missions.

Lavender

It was a busy week for the high school mission team. The group had worked tirelessly to raise money for each member to take the trip to the West Virginia mountain town of Princeton. Finally after months of planning, prayer, and fund raising, their drive down the mountain road led them to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Brooks.

The students began work. The ladders and various tools were unloaded from their church van. What supplies they brought were carefully placed on the carport that would eventually become their work staging area. Walking to the front porch they were greeted by Mrs. Alma, a very kind lady who felt somewhat ashamed of the condition of their home. Both she and Mr. Brooks were proud people who had worked all their lives to make a living rearing their children on that little mountain plot.

As they introduced themselves, the group began to discover something unexpected. Mr. Brooks was unable to come to the door. He wasn’t feeling well that day. Mr. Brooks had been fighting cancer for some time. Work in the coal mines had finally taken its toll on this loving father of three children. Mr. Brooks was too ill to do the work that needed to be done to their home. They were so happy that the group had come to assist, and he had planned to help the students, as much as he could, providing the guidance they needed for the project.

Not long after the group began work on renovation of the kitchen, Mr. Brooks was taken to the hospital for what appeared to be his final days. The students not only worked on the house but also provided kind acts of love and support to Mrs. Alma who needed to be with her husband each afternoon. At the end of each day the group would make the journey down the mountain road to the hospital to provide comfort and support to the family. Their beautiful smiles, the giggles of the junior high girls, and their group singing provided the necessary support for Mrs. Alma and her boys.

On Wednesday, a decision was needed to choose colors for the kitchen. Since Mrs. Brooks was not available to help make the decision, the group chose the color they thought was best. Some of the girls had decided on “lavender” as a color they believed would make the kitchen attractive. The adult group members were concerned that Mrs. Alma would not like the color they had selected. Since the group insisted, a decision was made and the paint was purchased. Later during that day, Mrs. Brooks came home to check on the progress and to see if anyone needed assistance. To her great surprise the kitchen had been painted in her very favorite color! Not only did the color please her but she revealed to the group that she and Mr. Brooks had already settled on “lavender” as their color choice. She also confessed to the group that Mr. Brook’s great desire was to remodel the kitchen before he died. She was grateful that his dream would be accomplished.

The students completed the project on Thursday of that week around two in the afternoon. After cleaning up and loading their van, they went to the hospital for their final visit to Mr. and Mrs. Brooks before their return home.

They were not prepared for the news. A family member greeted the group as usual, but this time informed them that Mr. Brooks had died about 2 PM. The Brooks family was solidly on the minds of each group member. The saddened group could offer nothing more than prayer and words of sympathy.

As the shadows of the summer evening began to fall, they began to realize that this experience was more than a random event in the life of their mission team.
With visions of their week etched clearly in memory, they journeyed back toward home with the realization that God had sent them to do a special job, at a special time, for a special family.

© Copyright 2007 LaCount L. Anderson (UN: lacount at Writing.Com). All rights reserved. LaCount Anderson has granted Mission Partner, Writing.com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work. This work nor any portion of this work may be reproduced without the expressed permission of the author.

Update

2007-09-21T18:21:00.000-07:00

Hello and thanks for checking out my blog. I am excited about the past few weeks. Mission Partner is up and running and God is doing some wonderful things through the ministry we started just weeks ago. These are the things that have taken place:

We are now a non-profit organization. Mission Partner has been partnered with People Helping People of Winchester, Inc. to become an agency. Your gifts to Mission Partner are tax deductible.
One of my desires for Mission Partner is to assist local churches in the doing of local ministry. You cannot imagine the joy on the face of the 86 year old man that received a handicap ramp from a local church men's group. He was particularly pleased to also receive a large print Bible from Mission Partner as the group completed the project. Since the construction this man has been able to drive his motorized wheel chair out of his home and actually get out of his house. A big smile is on his face as he motors all by himself down the street to the grocery store!
We are planning to assist a local after school program in October as they conduct a fund raiser to purchase a new van.
A partnership with the Union Mission of Roanoke Rapids, NC has developed and regular ministry will be taking place assisting the efforts to feed people and assist with men's programs. It will be our pleasure to also lead in worship regularly.
In late October our ministry is assisting a lady in Clay County, WV by arranging a group of men from First Baptist Church, Scotland Neck, NC to put the finishing touches on her new home. We are working hard to get this dear lady in her new home before winter.

All in all this is a pretty good first few weeks to our ministry. If you are reading this and have not had a chance to look at the web site, we invite you to take a look. We are anxious to help churches, schools, and local communities meet the needs of people. Take a look!

www.missionpartner.net

Give us a call: 877-826-6581 (toll free)

Mission Projects

2007-08-23T10:03:00.000-07:00

This fall there are three real needs pressing for adult mission groups.

1. A lady in Skygusty, WV is in need of her mobile home roof to be sealed
2. Another lady in Clay County West Virginia needs to have her home repair completed. Groups were unable to finish the work this summer and this dear person needs to be in her home before winter.
3. In southeastern Kentucky the same situation exists with another lady in need of her home to be finished before winter.

Mission Partner can help you get set up with these individuals. We charge no fee for our services however, we do appreciate donations from mission groups and individuals that will help with our expenses. Lodging and food will be arranged by Mission Partner. In all three of these projects I believe the building supplies can be furnished.

Looking for a great opportunity for youth missions? adult missions?
We are looking for a group to go to Garrett, KY to help a center do a fall festival at Halloween. Youth mission groups can come and also participate in food and clothing distribution. Contact us at info@missionpartner.net or see our web site: www.missionpartner.net

Mission projects for youth missions and adult missions

2007-08-14T15:21:00.000-07:00

Hello,

Mission Partner is busy assisting with fall mission projects for youth and adults. We are currently working in areas of Kentucky and West Virginia. Two needs as of today:
1. Seal the roof of a mobile home and other small projects. The location is near Bluefield, West Virginia.
2. Urgent need to repair homes of two ladies in Corbin, KY. Finish some work that was unable to be completed by an earlier youth group.

Give us a call at 877-826-6581 (toll free) or email us at info@missionpartner.net .

Mission Partner works with you in finding people in need for your fall youth or adult mission project. WWW.Missionpartner.net

Planning A Mission Project

2007-08-08T10:46:00.000-07:00

Summer is almost complete and I am sure you are reflecting upon the blessings of your summer mission project. For me it was an exciting summer. I was able to watch a group of students and chaperones build a small house in five days! As I reflect upon that week I still remember not believing my eyes as I saw electrical wires, plumbing, roofing, and siding all happening at once. Then I reflect upon the lonely little lady up on top of the mountain who had a group of Junior High students helping her with household chores. What a blessing for me.

How do you plan for a mission project?
First, I believe in the power of prayer. Prayer for guidance from the Lord, for the participants on the upcoming project, and then prayer for where you should go is the first priority .

Secondly, begin researching. This is an important step in that you need information that is accurate. I would suggest using an organization that specializes in doing mission work. Organizations like http://www.missionpartner.net/ are equipped with professionals who can help you plan from the beginning your mission project experience. Pre-packaged programs are affordable and certainly help take care of the headaches of lodging, meals, where to go, and who to help. It just makes good sense.

Once you have prayerfully settled on a location, it is now to go to your local church congregation for approval and promotion of the event. It is most important to have the support of your church. Your mission work will be an extention of the larger church's ministry. Leadership in the church can advise you and also assist you with needed funding for your mission trip.

How soon do you need to start? Actually, right now is a good time to begin. http://www.missionpartner.net/ is busy with planning for fall and spring projects. Dates are set. Quality opportunities are available now. If you are planning for a summer project now is also a good time. Those who plan will appreciate the advance notice and can find just exactly what you feel called to do on mission.

So, don't wait. Start the planning process today. Your mission project is coming soon!