Written by Amanda Coers – In 2017 Northlake Community Church made a promise. The small church congregation located in the lake area was disheartened to learn Good Samaritan Ministries in Brownwood had suffered a funding cut from Brown County. The church prayed, but then did something more. They put action to their prayers and vowed to raise $5,000 to help fill the gap left after the budget slash from the commissioners.
In years past, Brown County’s contribution to Good Samaritan Ministries was $14,000 annually. With the new cut, the county now provides only $4,800. Good Samaritan Ministries works to feed over 1,000 families in Brown County each month, and every dollar is needed to continue their mission.
At first, GSM Director Leesa Stephens was touched by the church’s offer, but not overly hopeful to see big checks rolling in from the earnest group. She was shocked in December of last year when the church called her again to tell her they had raised over $700 by offering hand-woven ribbon crosses made by the congregants for donations to GSM. The group had made over 1,200 crosses by hand and set up a table outside of Walmart on November 4th to received donations.
Linda Lemond with North Lake Community Church heads up the ribbon cross project. She and her husband Russell hand cut each cross along with the amount of ribbon needed to complete the ornaments. Church members then hand-weave each one, praying over them and blessing the crosses. Linda learned how to make the ribbon crosses from her mother.
“She’s now gone,” Linda said. “Every cross I’ve been cutting out and making brings back memories of my mother. So that is a blessing.”
Linda’s mother would surely be proud to know what was once a simple craft activity for her family has now turned into a mission to show love to the local community and an organization that works so hard to keep bellies full all year long.
“The hand-made crosses represent the Light and Love of Jesus Christ,” Pastor Ron Keener explained before presenting another check to Stephens, this time for $1,100. This time the church held three separate events at local storefronts to offer the crosses and solicit donations on behalf of GSM. As Keener announced the total raised during this latest effort, small and happy gasps came from the GSM staff present.
“That comes from His Light, and His Love, of our Lord Jesus Christ,” Keener said as he handed the check to Stephens. “We don’t want Brown County to go without. Our hearts have been heavy that we make this possible. We’re a church of servants and a church full of givers and it’s amazing as a pastor to watch our people step up.”
The church is now nearly halfway to their goal of raising $5,000 to aid Good Samaritan Ministries.
“Thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ,” Associate GSM Director Heather Thomas told the church group at the check presentation. “It’s amazing to see y’all walk it out in action and not just word. Thank you so much for doing that.”
On Saturday, June 9th, the church will have tables set up outside the entrance to United Supermarket from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., once again offering their hand-made crosses and asking the community to help them fulfill their vow. If you would like to help, you can contact North Lake Community Church, 3131 Harbor Drive, May, Texas 76857, by calling (325) 784-7482.
You can learn more about Good Samaritan Ministries by visiting their website: goodsambwd.org