As mentioned in a recent Gateway News article, this year, the Life Group team designated funds to go toward Life Group Community Care projects, empowering Life Groups to get involved in serving the community with financial support from our Connect department. Two of our Life Groups discovered an amazing opportunity to bless the community as part of this Community Care initiative.
The Kiesel Life Group partnered with the Findlay-based Special Needs Parent Support group to bless families of children with special needs.
The Special Needs Parent Support group is a vital resource for families, offering assistance to meet financial, social, and emotional needs while creating opportunities for connection and recreation. A highlight of their year is the Family Event Nights held six times annually at the Findlay Moose Lodge. These gatherings provide meals, door prizes, games, and activities to bring joy to families navigating the challenges of raising special needs children.
The Kiesel Life Group provided decorations and food for the October Family Event. They also helped with a non-scary Halloween costume contest, creating a memorable evening for the families. The group even contributed gift cards for an upcoming Christmas event to ensure the blessings continue well into the holiday season. Several group members volunteered at the October event, serving meals and sharing the night's joy.
The Sherrieb Life Group also found an opportunity to bless our community. On November 20th, one of Gateway Life Groups stepped up to serve at Hope House, a local shelter providing refuge and resources for women and children facing domestic violence and homelessness. Our church's commitment to supporting those in need made this possible.
Hope House, which often struggles with a shortage of volunteers, was also approached by the Sherrieb Life Group, asking how they could serve their mission. Hope House needed help setting up, serving, and cleaning up a meal for the families staying there. Their goal is simple: to create a stress-free evening where mothers and children could enjoy a meal together, surrounded by love and a sense of normalcy. The Life Group used funds from Gateway's Community Care scholarship to provide a hearty, comforting meal from Bob Evans. Group members worked together to serve the food and, more importantly, to share time with the families to listen, encourage, and offer genuine care.
Hope House staff expressed their gratitude, noting this type of event simply wasn't possible in the past due to a lack of volunteers. The night provided a rare and precious opportunity for these families to simply relax and enjoy a meal in community.
At Gateway Church, we believe in being the hands and feet of Jesus, bringing hope and restoration to those in need.
Stories, news, and resources for things happening at Gateway Church.
