Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Shoals - Gina Mashburn
Ministry Focus:
Our mission is to create and support one to one mentoring relationship that ignite the power and promise of youth.
Gina Mashburn has worked in various roles with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Shoals since 1989 and is currently the local agency CEO. She is also the State Association president for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Alabama.
Prayer Needs:
- Thank God for the work He is doing through Gina and this ministry.
- Please pray for the staff to have strength and wisdom, and for their spiritual growth.
- Please pray that all the children within the service delivery area who need/want a mentor in their lives will somehow be referred or find their way to this organization.
- Please pray that more Christian volunteers apply to serve as Bigs for our Lives.
- Please pray that God will continue to guide the administration and staff of this organization to best meet the needs of the children & families being served while securing the resources to do so.
- Please pray that we will continue to receive the financial resources to keep the program going.
Colbert Caring Center - Karen Martin, Executive Director
Ministry Focus:
The Colbert Caring Center was founded in 1994 and serves the residents of Colbert County. The purpose of the center is to unite churches, institutions, organizations, and businesses in the coordinated assistance and ministry to those in need. The center provides assistance with utility bills and food from our pantry. Volunteers can lend support through me serving at the center or through tax-deductible contributions. You may also invite a representative from the Colbert Caring Center to come and speak to your organization to learn more about the hungry, homeless, and distressed families in Colbert County.
Prayer Needs:
- Thank God for His work through the Colbert Caring Center.
- Please pray for continued support for the Colbert Caring Center.
- Please pray for renewed strength and vision for the staff of the Colbert Caring Center.
- Please pray for discernment and wisdom for Karen and her staff.
- Please pray for distressed families in Colbert County. Ask God to show you how you can help.
First Priority of North Alabama - Ashley Bell, Executive Director
Ministry Focus:
First Priority is a strategy to connect the local church to reach the local school campus for Christ. It is intended to change the spiritual climate of the school and the world through students. Our vision is “to share the hope of Christ with every student.” Our mission is to “unite the Local Body of Christ with a plan of action to influence the school with the Gospel.”
Because no one church can reach every student in their community, but when we unite together, THE CHURCH can. Because 85% of all who come to know Christ do so before they graduate high school, thereby making our local schools the greatest mission field in America.
Prayer Needs:
- Thank God for His work through First Priority in our communities and especially give thanks for the students who have received Christ through this ministry.
- Pray for doors to continue to be opened for this ministry at schools throughout our region.
- Pray that students will be called to lead First Priority clubs on their school campuses.
- Pray that the hearts of students will soften and be open to the gospel.
- Pray for the schools and their leaders in our community.
- Pray for the administrators of First Priority across our nation.
Meals on Wheels of the Shoals - Eva Graham
Ministry Focus:
Meals on Wheels of the Shoals provides not only a free nutritional meal each, but also a friendly safety check on our most vulnerable residents. They deliver over 180 meals each day to the elderly and homebound neighbors living in the Shoals area. They serve Lauderdale, Colbert, and Franklin counties and they deliver tens of thousands of free meals each year.
How can you help:
For a small dona on of a few hours per week, you can make a huge difference in the lives of our home bound citizens and the rewards you receive are priceless. We can schedule you for whatever is convenient for you -- times can be once a week, a month or quarterly. You can volunteer with a group or individually.
Donation Information:
Meals cost $3.30 each; so, a donation of only $25 will sponsor meals for someone for an entire week! Donations can be made through PayPal on our website at caanw.org or by mailing a check to: Meals on Wheels Shoals, 745 Thompson Street, Florence, AL 35630.
Prayer Needs:
- Thank God for His work through Meals on Wheels across our nation and in our community.
- Pray for the continued work of this ministry through the calling of volunteers.
- Pray that those who are served will see Christ and His compassionate love for them.
- Pray for Eva and all those who are administering this ministry across our nation.
North Alabama Wesley Foundation - Rev. Linda Williamson
Ministry Focus:
The primary focus of The Wesley Foundation at the University of North Alabama (UNA) is to reach and minister to the college students on UNA’s campus. The Wesley Founda on provides students with a Christian atmosphere where they can meet other students who are believers. Students are offered a variety of opportunities such as free Tuesday meals, Bible studies, praise and worship, campus outreach events, mission projects, and retreats. Rev Williamson says, “We are the hands and feet of Jesus on campus, and we share the love of Christ throughout the campus at UNA.” Rev Williamson is the Campus Pastor and Director at the Wesley Founda on at UNA.
Prayer Needs:
- Thank God for His work being accomplished through this ministry.
- Please pray for the effectiveness and growth of this ministry.
- Please pray for students, for their spiritual growth while at the Wesley Foundation.
- Please pray for Linda, the Foundation pastor, and for the Board of Directors.
- Please pray for the Chinese Bible study and give praise for the Chinese students who have come to know Christ.
Pastor’s Education Fund
Ministry Focus:
Since the beginning days of the Methodist movement, under the leadership of John Wesley, a well-educated and trained clergy has been a vital part of every local church. Through the years, clergy preparing for ministry in Methodist have been supported by denominational, conference and district funds, as well as local churches. Tuscumbia First Methodist has a history of supporting ministerial education, most recently by supporting the Oscar Butler Fund through the Northwest District.
As we help birth a new denomination, the Global Methodist Church, the burden of financial support has been placed solely on conferences and local churches. The avenue created to help clergy seeking seminary education is called the Global Methodist Founda on of North Alabama. It is operational and supporting students in these early days of the Conference.
These students will attend GMC approved seminaries such as Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky, Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, and Wesley Biblical in Mississippi. There are other seminaries approved as well. These three will be where the majority of students from North Alabama will attend.
Prayer Needs:
- New donors to invest in the Founda on.
- Rapid growth of the fund principle.
- Students currently attending seminary to will one day serve in the North Alabama Conference.
- Wisdom for the Founda on Board of Directors.
Shoals Sav-a-Life
Ministry Focus:
For 30 years Shoals Sav-A-Life, your local crisis pregnancy center, has been the voice for “Life” in the Shoals, providing the following services free of charge to the residents of Colbert, Lauderdale, and Franklin counties: pregnancy tests, STI testing, ultrasound, “Preparing for Baby” parenting skills classes, adoption education/referrals, Sexual Risk Avoidance education (SRA), and post abortion recovery classes. All of our services are based on the premise that every life is created by God in His image with value and a unique purpose in mind. We make it our mission to encourage every woman to choose life for her child and to be the support and encouragement she needs throughout the pregnancy and beyond.
Prayer Needs:
- Thank God for His work through Danielle and the staff of Shoals Sav-A-Life
- Pray for the clients as many are struggling with providing basic necessities for themselves and their babies.
- Please pray for the hearts of each client in this upcoming year to be prepared and open to hearing about Christ’s love and His plan for their life and the life of their child.
- Please pray for more opportunities for outreach on college campuses. The college campus age group is the most abortion vulnerable.