For many, the holiday season is a season of giving, caring for those in need, and bringing people together. So, too, for James River Church. During its annual Season of Giving, the church organizes multiple events, including a Thanksgiving Basket Outreach, the Gift Gives — handing out Christmas presents to children in local schools — and ways to bless single moms and widows. And for James River Church, this idea of giving back to the local community does not stop after the holidays.
Even after James River Church’s holiday-themed “Season of Giving,” the culture of giving remains. Below are a few ways James River Church cares for and gives back to the Missouri community and the world.
One Child & Cherish Kids
James River Church believes that children and youth are the future of our community. However, not all children are treated to equal opportunities, schooling, or food access. Through organizations like One Child and Cherish Kids, James River gives back to these children and provides them with valuable resources.
The partnership with One Child began years ago with Pastor Debbie Lindell’s efforts to reduce the effects of poverty on children in Haitian villages. Since its onset, James River Church and Designed For Life have combined to open 10 Hope Centers in Haiti, which sponsor more than 5,000 children in need.
Cherish Kids is another James River Church charitable organization — this time with a focus on aiding children in foster programs. By connecting with state and county offices, adoption agencies, and advocacy programs, Cherish Kids assists foster families financially, helps children find new homes, and supports children in the foster system.
Helping Schools in Local Areas
James River Church also consistently assists in rebuilding and bringing life to local public schools. After all, schools are where children learn the skills needed to succeed in life — and James River Church believes they should be clean, accessible spaces.
These charitable efforts range from helping out with landscaping at local Westport/Pershing schools to deep cleaning and doing minor construction projects at Springfield/Joplin schools. Thanks to its large and motivated community, James River Church shows up with hundreds, if not thousands, of volunteers to lend a hand.
Unstoppable Community Care
Just as impressive is James River Church’s Community Care program, a staple of the church. Through Community Care, James River helps families experiencing financial hardship or food insecurity by giving them resources as well as God’s love and care.
Community Care’s charitable efforts include the One Heart Food Pantry, which stocks perishable food items on a monthly basis for those in need; a dedicated commitment to providing support and financial assistance to widows and single mothers; and organizations like Cherish Kids for foster and adopted children and their families and One Child, which supports children in need in countries around the world.
Saturday Serve
Another staple at James River Church is Saturday Serve, which is all about spreading the light of Jesus to the community. On these days, James River organizes events in the community that focus on meeting the physical needs of people and giving back. Recent Saturday Serves include homeless ministry, renovating local public schools, a winter coat drive for children in need, and organizing the annual Thanksgiving Basket Outreach program, which provided over 70,000 pounds of food to families in need.
James River Church believes strongly in reaching the lost and hurting, connecting to its community through outreach and service, and blessing as many people as possible through the generosity of the people. Community care, Saturday Serve, and events for children are just a few of the ways the church strives to help all year round.
