Articles
Monday, 01 October 2018 14:35
Flatline Movement Taking the Gospel to the Streets Through Christian Rappers, Speakers and More
Written by Angela Hardgrave
Often the most successful ministries are the ones that meet people where they are— communicating love and compassion in a language they can understand. Dewayne Rembert had just that passion when he founded the Flatline Movement. His mission in this ministry is to take the Gospel to the streets of Montgomery and other cities throughout Alabama through Christian rappers, singers, and speakers, always with the focus of preaching the Word of God in everything they do.
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One look.
One word.
That’s all it takes to know someone else knows. One nanosecond for shame to envelop your soul like a smothering blanket.
I felt that way. I was in a rush and not paying attention. Hoping to catch the next city bus in less than ten minutes, I cruised my shopping cart into the nearest check-out and tossed my items on the conveyer belt. Fifteen items maybe? I looked up to feel the burning glare of the clerk.
Thursday, 16 August 2018 16:50
Respite Ministry of First UMC: Love, Education and Support for Families Living with Alzheimer's and Dementia
Written by Angela HargraveWhen a family member is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia, it can be a devastating blow to their friends and loved ones. The pain of memory loss and personality changes, coupled with questions of long-term care, can cause feelings of fear and hopelessness. One ministry in the River Region, The Respite Ministry, is ready to help, and their mission is clear: to provide love, education, and support to all families living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
I love how Jesus related to damaged, condemned people.
Don’t you?
A woman sins against God and is caught in the act of adultery. She wrecks a home. She brings shame upon herself and her community. Pious men take her shame public. “Lawbreakers must not be tolerated,” they think. “She must be condemned for her behavior, cast out for her infidelities, shamed for her shameful act. She must be made into an example.”
It’s Saturday night. If you don’t usually attend a church service on the weekend, you may be thinking, Why even bother going to church this Sunday?I don’t know or like any of those people. What would I get out of spending two hours sitting in a pew? Wouldn’t I be better off watching the game with friends, helping someone in need, or advocating for a cause?
Thursday, 12 July 2018 11:33
Forest Park Ministry Center Providing Food, Clothing and Support for People in Crisis
Written by Angela Hardgrave
Forest Park Ministry Center is an outreach of Montgomery Baptist Association’s Compassion Ministries, which has been in existence for around fifty years. “Compassion Ministries began in 1968 when Miss Gladys Farmer, a missionary, was called to Montgomery for the purpose of leading community ministry. The Montgomery Baptist Association recognized the need for its member churches to become not only aware of the needs surrounding them, but to engage people outside the walls of the church who need to know the hope of Jesus Christ and the life change a relationship with Him will bring,” said director Donna McCullough. “Today, Rev. Neal Hughes is the Director of Missions and Mrs. Lisa Rose is the Director of Compassion Ministries, which encompasses Forest Park Ministry, Samaritan Inn Ministries, Conversational English, Mixtec Task Force, and a partnership with Foster Care.”
“I’ve witnessed first hand how God can reach into your personal moment of need, whether it be a need for understanding, or a physical, emotional, or spiritual need, and speak Truth that is applicable to you personally. We all need life spoken into us, whether we are poor, rich, educated, uneducated, skilled, unskilled, healthy, unhealthy, happy or sad. I love receiving this from the Lord, and I desire all to receive the same.”
Cuddles
I am thankful to be a dad for the cuddles. My sixteen-year-old son doesn’t cuddle me anymore, but my girls still do, and I love them for it. I love to hold them close, I love to tell them they are loved, I love to let them know that they are safe, protected, provided for. I cuddle them gently to know that I treasure them. I gather them in my arms and carry them up to bed to let them know I’m strong. And they cuddle me to let me know I’m loved in return. I think I might need their cuddles just as much as they need mine.
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As a young mom, I thought Mother’s Day should be all about me. Surely I deserved recognition for my never-ending sacrifices as a mom and stepmom to five children, right? However, after driving away from my parents’ home recently with tears spilling down my cheeks, I sensed God asking me to honor my mom with the time we have left. Unable to deny that Alzheimer’s is consuming Mom’s every fiber, Mother’s Day carries an overwhelming sadness, as she no longer knows me as her daughter.
Teaching your kids can feel daunting. But teaching your kids about God can feel downright terrifying.
Some feel overwhelmed with time issues. They just don’t see how they can fit something else into their day. Others may not feel as if they have adequate theological training. They feel uncomfortable instructing their kids beyond, “Jesus loves you.”
Wednesday, 16 May 2018 09:20
Children's Hope Mobilizing the Church to Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children
Written by Angela Hardgrave
From Montgomery, Alabama to 1,300 miles across the ocean in the nation of Haiti, Children’s Hope has been changing children’s lives for the past eight years. Their mission is caring for children, strengthening families, and serving communities in Jesus’ name, and they faithfully carry out this mission every day.
Friday, 06 April 2018 09:37
First Choice Women's Medical Center: Help for Women Facing Unexpected Pregnancy
Written by Angela Hardgrave
The most important need for someone going through a hard or life-changing time in his or her life is to know, without a doubt, that they are not alone. For women or couples facing an unexpected pregnancy, First Choice Women’s Medical Center of Montgomery gives the comfort and assurance that is so critical during this time. According to their mission statement, First Choice provides “Christ-centered medical, parenting, and life-skill services to extend help, offer hope, and promote healing.”
In the early years of our marriage, I wondered if we would make it to our next anniversary. Blending four children, grappling with our stepparent roles while learning to parent together, combating ex-spouses, and trying to stay afloat with job, church and community obligations seemed impossible. As we celebrated 21 years of marriage recently, I’m thankful we never quit.
