Newspaper Page Text
12A
SEPTEMBER 24, 19bs AUGUSTA FOCUS
Minister’s experience of own plight prompts ministry
Sy Mark Ofiphant
AUGUSTA FOCUS Comndont
Augusta native David Ford re
sided in Las Vegas for six yearsand
~as gainfully employed. However,
nultiple circumstances luddenldy
mnounted up against him, includ
ng loss of job and being unable to
ind another one quick enough to
seep a roof over his head. In no
:ime he found himself facing a cri
3is many of us never imagine would
nappen unlessit hits closeto home.
Now, each Sunday morning at
3:45 a.m., you can find Pastor
Ford reachingout totl ose whoare
axperiencing his past plight of
homelessness with bag meals, used
Bibles, clothes, blankets and toi
letry suppliesat the Salvation Army
»n Greene Street through his min
istry called Augusta Street Minis
tries. dR A
Pastor Ford, who went into the
ministry two years ago, said his
axperience was a pivotal point for
his spiritual conversion. He uses
himself as a living testimony of
what God’s word can do for those
in need.
“] .was homeless for approxi
mately four months,” said Pastor
Ford. “Fortunately I’ve had mili
tary experience living in the field,
which made it not as difficult for
me as it would those who have a
hard time coping with urban
homelessness. All I had was my
Bible and, out of desperation, I
turned to God and accepted Jesus
Christ as my personal savior. From
my own experience with
homelessness, I established this
ministry to let many experiencing
homelessness know that Jesus
Christ is the only way out from
nomelessness.”
Augusta Street Ministries was
astablished six months ago by Pas
:or Ford, which began with him
asreparing bag meals out of hisown
sitchen for up to 25 people. Now
ASM is temporarily housed at Cal-
*A, ‘ ° &
\NAIN/)/ M.E. Churc
N\ &v'
Rev. Alex R. King
1630 Fifteenth St. Augusta, Ga. 30901
(706) 733-9430
Sunda)fl":”“ ~ Sunday School 9:30 a.m.
Worship Service 11:00 a.m.
Ist Sunday Evening 6:30 p.m.
Wed: Praise Bible Study 7:00 p.m.
Thurs: Senior Services 10:00
Day Care Center:
: . 6:45 a.m. - 5:30 p.m
snucuSTA'S BEST GOSPEL 0o -
A Sonshine 16 @
flm; ‘ g | ‘ KZK
- > Love You CGan Listen To
(706) 738-9191 Business
P.O. Box 1454 (706) 738-0044 Request
Augusta, Georgia 30903 (706) 733-0044 Request
[r = e
l 3 ‘ .fl.
PL i
e
S —I -
Pastor David Ford
Hill Road, where Pastor Fordisa
member.
Homelessness is a crisis of na
tional proportion. It continueson
a vertical plane in this country,
including approximately 7,000 in
the Augusta area, according to
the latest census report.
Insensitive governing bodies
across the country are usually
the convenient blame victim for
this problem. Pastor Ford be
lieves this will not help rid the
crisis.
“There are different types of
homeless people,” said Pastor
Ford. “It’s not just bag people as
many perceive. It can be people
whoaren’tliving in a permanent,
stable residence. Some may live
with a friend a few nights, live in
and out of a motel, or even sleep
ing in a car. They would be lucky
to find a labor job paying them
only $25 or S3O. Its hard to pull
yourself out when you look at the
cost of living today.”
“Our main outreach are to those
either sleeping under the Calhoun
Expressway overpassor the Butts
Bridge,” said Ford.
When Pastor Ford and approxi
mately a dozen volunteers of Au
gusta Street Ministries arrive at
the Salvation Army shelter on
Sunday mornings, other area
3pirit
churches such as Victory Baptist
Church have picked up many who
reside there for services and a hot
meal. He takes approximately 75
baglunches, whichinclude a sand
wich, a bag of chips, a can of fruit,
and a sweet roll, and serves them
to the overflow group there.
Not only are the homeless fed
with food by ASM, but also with
God’s word via a used Bible and a
message.
“My homeless experience
humbled me greatly,” said Pastor
Ford. “Our philosophy is to get
God in the lives of these people.
Some of them end up so far in the
bottom that they turn to alcohol,
Whole Life Ministries Campus
Christian Life School of Theology
* Monthly Classes *
NEXT Class OCTOBER 1-3, 1998
“Intertestamental Period”
For more information call Shirley Ledbetter, Academic Dean
(706) 737-4530
Fax your-news in toAugusta.Fpau.aLflDfi)JZ&MSZ.l
We Invite You To
BAPTIST CHURCH
| Dr. Sam Davis, pastor
1434 POPLAR STREET
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA 30901
TELEPHONE: (706) 724-1086
Baptist Training Union (BTU) at 6:00 p.m. Sunday
Sunday School at 9:30 Sunday moming
Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Wednesdag.aand 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
Prayer Service at 11:00 Saturday morning
85 Christian Ministries
All Services Are Bible-based and Holy Spirit-led”
drugs or mental iliness over what
ever occurred in their lives as the
cause their situation.”
ASM also provide the homeless
with clothfig along with a hy
giene kit ch includes dental
supplies, soap, deodorant, shav
ing supplies, female hygienic sup
plies, cotton swabs and trial sized
shampoo.
“We want to help them be more
presentable so they will deliver a
better impression in their efforts
to find work. No one wants to hire
those who are unkempt. Thereare
many people who believe homeless
people are lazy and do not want to
work. I’ve never found that in any
people we've helped.”
Pastor Ford even challenged the
notion many have of God only
helping those who help themselves.
“That’s a lie,” asserted Pastor
Ford. “God helps those who ask
for his help.”
Augusta Street Ministries,
which is currently in partnership
with Calvary Baptist and New Life
Christian Center (behind Augusta
Mall), are still accepting dona
tions such as clothing, food, hy
gienicsupplies, blankets, and even
monetary contributions. If you
either have donations or are in
need, call ASM at 796-0029, Cal
vary Baptist Church at 790-6565
or visit their website at http:/
visitweb.com/augstrmin.
8 Gospel Water Branch Baptist Church, 703 Furys Ferry
Road, Augusta The Sanctuary Choir will celebrate their anniversary
on September 26 at 6 p.m. with a concert. Several choirs from around
the CSRA will participate. For more information, call 860-7091.
8 Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 710 E. Cedar Street,
Augusta, will hold its annual Fallßevival from Sunday, September 27
through Wednesday, September 30. Rev. Kim Yarber, pastor of the
Mt. Herman Missionary Baptist in Flint, MI, will be the guest
speaker, and Rev. Thomas Simmons, pastor of Reedy Fork Baptist
Church, Simpsonville, S.C. will be guest evangelist. Services begin
at 6:50 each evening. The Rev. Dr. Johnny R. Hatney is pastor.
® New Creations Missionary Baptist Church, 1718 Olive Rd,-
Augusta, will be holding its fifth Ushers and Usherettes Aniversary
on Sunday, September 27, at 2:30 p.m. The Rev. Robert Vaughn and
the Mt. Hermon Baptist Church will be in charge.
8 Bro. Grady Allen, saxophonist, will be featured in concert at
the True Vine Baptist Church, 1780 Martin Luther King Blvd.,
on September 27 at 4 p.m. Proceeds from the concert tickets will go
toward obtaining a passenger van to transport the children in the
ensemble.
® Everfaithful Missionary Baptist Church,3l4 Sandbar Ferry
Road, Augusta, On September 27, the R.L. Williams Gospel Choir
will celebrate its 10th anniversary, at 2:30 p.m. Special guest for the
celebration will be the F.F. Cook Choir from Mt. Vernon Baptist
Church. From September 28 through October 2, Sis. Yvonne
Kelly will be speaking at the Morning Spiritual Revival, every
morning at the church from 5:30 to 7:30 a.m. The church will hold a
Clergy Revival from October 7-9 from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. each day.
Guest speakers will be Rev. Robert Felton, Rev. Anthony Harden,
and Rev. Henry Bass. On Sunday, October 11, at 2:30 p.m., the
chirch will celebrate it's 28th anniversary. Guest speaker will be Rev.
'Grady Wicker Jr. of Moses Missionary Baptist Church. For more
‘information call Sis. Yvonne Kelly, Tuesday through Friday, 9:30
'a.m.-2:30 p.m., at (706)722-0553. The Rev. Dr. Rosa L. Williams is
pastor.
- @ Hammond Grove Baptist Church, 590 Hemlock Drive, North
'Augusta, S.C. welcomes Archbishop Jimmy Smith of Light of the
| World Christian Tabernacle as guest evangelist at their Fall Revival
‘on September 28 through October 2, at 7 p.m. nightly. The Rev.
'Bobby G. Hankerson is pastor.
@ Greater Young Zion Baptist Church, 516 Forsythe Avenue,
Augusta, announces the Usher and Usherette Board will celebrate
it's 80th anniversary on Sunday, September 27, at 2:30 p.m. Special
guest will be the Rev. James Hogan and the New Zion Hill Baptist
Church. The Rev. William B. Blount is pastor.
# The Second New Hope Baptist Church, 1045 Tenth St.,.
Augusta, will sponsor a “100 Women in. White” program on Sunday,
September 27, at 3 p.m. The Rev. Louis Coley and the Old Piney
Grove Baptist Church of Edgefield will be the special guestsin charge
of services. The Rev. Robert L. Williams is pastor. ‘
® Harmony Baptist Church, 930 Hopkins St., Augusta, will hold
the "12 Tribes of Israel" program on Sunday, September 27, at 3 p.m.
Also, the church is in search of a musician to play for the Youth and
Young Adult Choir. Interested individuals please phone the church
at 724-8028 and leave a message. ‘
On Saturday, October 3, the church will sponsor a “Church and;
Community Round-Up,” from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. This round-up wili
consist of a number of events similar to an “expo.” For mo
information please contact Pat. Elam-Bryant at 738-3589, or leave
message on the church phone at 724-8028. The Rev. Dr. Woodrow;
Milller Jr. is pastor. 3
e
® Elim Baptist Church, 2359 Mt. Auburn Ave., Augusta, mli"w.
celebrate the Ushers' Anniversary on Sunday, September 27, at (§'
p.m. Guests will be the Rev. Wllliam Bass and the congregation of"
emount Temple Baptist Church. oy
e
® Historic Springfield Baptist Church, Augusta, will celebrafi
the ushers' anniversary on Sunday, September 27, at 2 p.m. The Re
Dr. Robert W. Turner and Good Samaritan Baptist will bring t.hfi
essage. "
Revival will be held from Monday, September 28, through Friday,s
October 2, at 7 p.m. nightly. Theguest evangelist is Rev. Peter Evans
pastor of Shalom Baptist Church of Newport News, Virginia. %‘ilg
Rev. E.T. Martin is pastor. \
# Second Ebenezer Baptist Church, 4510 Old Waynesboro Rd,\é
Hephzibah, Youth Ministry will present a musical on September 2‘[:
at 2:30 p.m. at the church.
Also, the Soup Kitchen Ministry operates every Wednesday from
to 6:30 p.m. The Soup Kitchen is open to all who are in need. Th
church’s Food Bank Ministry is open every Saturday from 9 to 11:3
a.m., and is also open to all who are in need. Both ministries
located at the church. Angelo Hatcher is pastor.
® Trumpet in Zion Fellowships Church, 725 Laney W
Blvd., Augusta, GA, On October 3 at 6 p.m., the church will wel
Min. Joe Bacote & The Voices In Spirit Singers, who will be celebrat=3
ing over 10 years of Music Ministry. THe Apostolic Sons of God an
other groups will join them. o
® White Rock Baptist Church, 1870 White Rock Road, Llncolnto
Ga, welcomes Congressman John Lewis on October 4, at 3:30 p.m.
Congressman Lewis will be coming out to show support for Denise:
Freeman, Congressional Candidate for the 10th district.
# First Baptist Church, Stapleton, GA, will celebrate Men's Day
on October 4 at 2 p.m. Guest preacher will be the Rev. W. Tomilen,
pastor of Thomas Grove Baptist Church, Waynesboro. Dinner will be
served. The Rev. Frank Seabrook, Sr. is pastor.
8 Tremount Temple Baptist Church, 1363 Eleventh St., Au
gusta, presents Friday Noonday Services, at the church at noon. Thq
Rev. William Bass is pastor. ‘
For junk cars. Call Ben &
1-800-550-8275