By Margaret Dohnalek
The Missions ministry at St. Edwards Episcopal Church, Mount Dora, has been built with a single focus in mind: Impact! Of the various missions that the church supports, the four that are highlighted every Sunday during worship help to remind the congregation of the impact of the Missions Ministry. From the local Impact we see in our support to Lake Cares food pantry, Fellowship of Christian Athletes of North Lake County, Foster Families and Soup for the Soul to the Impact outside the United States we hear about from engaging the Adventure Christian ministry in Thailand and updates from the Good Shepherd Home orphanage in Cameroon. These missions have an important Impact on people’s lives and their future.
For example, having a focus every week on donating non-perishable food items that allow Lake Cares to serve nearly 75,000 individuals and over 20,000 households in our area helps our church have an impact on those who struggle to meet their basic food needs. St. Edward’s also adds volunteer time at Lake Cares to further increase the impact we can have on this ministry.
And, helping provide opportunities for local youth by supporting the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is important for teens who have a passion for sports and are committed to a life in Christ. As Rev. Bobby Rowe says, “FCA gives youth a group connection with fellow Christians and plays an important role in personal and character development that will ground these youth for the rest of their lives.” Now that is Impact!
Outside the United States, St. Edward’s has chosen two important missions that delivery impact in very different ways. In Thailand, being part of efforts to support the spiritual care of Christians in that area of Asia and mobilize new members of the Christian faith, gives our church real-life evidence of the important role of discipleship.
In Cameroon, St. Edward’s supports Good Shepherd Home orphanage, a Christian home caring for 150 children. To hear children raised at the Home profess their commitment to caring for future generations of orphans reminds us every week that we too are called to serve others.
Embracing very different worlds in our Local Impact with our mission support to Lake Cares and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and our Impact Outside the United States with Engaging the Adventure in Thailand and for orphans at Good Shepherd Home in Cameroon, allows us to understand the importance of missions and outreach as a Church.
Every time we hear an update from one of the missions we support, we feel excited and motivated to do more. It is all because what the missions deliver is IMPACT – making a difference locally and outside the United States for people in communities, community settings, or communities of faith.
Want to learn more about how our Missions Ministry is making an impact? www.stedwardsepiscopal.com/ministries/outreach-missions/
Feel called to support this work? You can give online here: https://onrealm.org/StEdwardsEpisco/-/form/give/now
Photo caption: At St. Edward’s recent Ministry Fair (left to right): Margaret Dohnalek, Bobby & Rona Rowe and Leah Felcher.
