.png){kind=small}
ISSUE 179
Music and friends at the Sterling Drive-In
Agencies from the county work together
CCX
MISSIONAL MAGAZINE
Lord of the Harvest
Matthew 9:36-38
But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
We are witnessing the same situation that Jesus emotionally responded to 2000 years ago. Living in McDowell County for the past 17 years we have been up close and personal with a needy community. When you see so much dysfunction you might think it is hopeless and feel like it’s time to move on. The disciples may have been discouraged, but Jesus saw opportunity. He looked out and saw people who needed hope and purpose. He saw people who were in captivity and did not realize it. We can make an argument that what Jesus saw then we can relate to now.
The harvest is plentiful here yet we need to pray for more workers, workers who are sold out to the Lord of the Harvest. Pray for the Lord to send missionaries who are able to raise support and are committed to this community. The Parents as Teachers program currently serves about 50 families. These homes have needs and an openness to the gospel. Our Parent Educators who visit in the homes are not permitted to share the gospel, but more missionary staff can. There are 3 things we want to ask you:
-
Are you a mature believer who God is calling to help bring in the harvest?
-
Are you being called to support our ministry on a monthly basis so our missionaries can bring in the harvest?
-
Will you pray for those who answer yes to the first 2 questions?
We are very thankful for our funding from the WV Department of Health and Human Resources. It allows us to hire local staff, work with young families in need, and make a difference in our community. Unfortunately, there are many things that the grant does not cover and that is why we need your help. Together we can do so much more!
Happenings
“It’s all Greek To Me!”
An IEP team meeting for your special needs child can be very intimidating to parents entering into the school system. What is an IEP anyway?
Estella Crabtree, a mother in our Parents As Teachers program and a Birth-3 coordinator was our guest speaker holding a workshop for parents to better understand what an Individualized Education Plan is and what role they as parents play in their child’s services at school.
Partners Providing for our Baby Pantry!
We are thankful for our partners who help us provide needed items to the families we serve each month. Finding products to help families with young children can be a challenge. Currently we serve 50 families and 75 children on a monthly basis in our Parents As Teachers program. We allow them to earn "Baby Bucks" to turn in for free products. Ways to earn include attending monthly visits, attending groups, setting and making a goal, completing further learning activities, and donating back into our pantry.
Happenings
“It’s all Greek To Me!”
An IEP team meeting for your special needs child can be very intimidating to parents entering into the school system. What is an IEP anyway?
Estella Crabtree is a mother in our Parents As Teachers program and a Birth-3 coordinator. She was our guest speaker in this workshop for parents to better understand what an Individualized Education Plan is and what role parents play in their child’s services at school.
Recently bare baby pantry shelves prompted one Educator to make a plea on social media for diapers and specific baby items. Unicare representative, Annetta Tiller and a Mississippi resident readily jumped in and delivered a donation of diapers, sippy cups, bibs and an Amazon order shipped to us directly. Praise God for willing partners in helping the young families in our community!
Want to help? Contact us for current needs or find our needs list on the CCX website.
Adult Mental Health
When you think of basic first aid, what comes to mind? Mental Health First Aid aims to teach members of the public how to respond in a mental health emergency and offer support to someone who appears to be in emotional distress. Mental health issues affect all of society in some way and it is estimated that about one in five Americans will experience a diagnosable mental disorder in any given year. Many parents of young children deal with this issue which can interfere with caring for their children in time of crisis.
Six of our Community Crossing staff became certified in Adult Mental Health First Aid in conjunction with Project Aware and DHHR/MIECHV Office. Mount View High School was the training site for 20 attendees who are social workers, counselors, teachers, and home visitors. Helping our community dealing with Adult Mental Health issues is a major need and concern for us and this training was an invaluable resource.
Men's Book Study
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17
The pursuit of authentic manhood is our most recent and possibly our most important endeavour. This series breaks down the qualities and characteristics that are demonstrated in the Bible. We have a group that spans three generations; early 20's to early 70's. Our group has decided to continue on and go through Volume 2 next month. We as men must reject passivity, accept responsibility, lead courageously and invest eternally.
"It is sad and should be terrifying how easy it is for us as men to slip on the clothes of passivity, mediocrity and insignificance. Authentic Men reject all that." -33 The Series, Vol. 1: Training Guide - A Man and His Design
Sterling Drive-In
One of the difficulties of living in a geographically isolated region that continues to lose population is reviving a vibrant community. Open Mic Night at the Sterling is attempting to be the change that is needed. Once a month, the Sterling hosts an open mic night for folks here to enjoy an evening of food, fun, and community. It's a unique event for those in the area, because there is no other place to regularly hear live music. The evening is usually kicked off by our good friend Garnett Edwards, Jr. Garnett shares his poetry, and most of his poetry is focused on his faith. He also mixes in some humor and encouragement.
We have enjoyed attending and really appreciate what they are doing to make our community better! Our son, Alaric, who will be 4 years old in November, decided on his own that he would like to sing "Wonderful World". His grandmother, Karen Wilson, told him he needed to ask the MC, Derek Tyson. He went over to Derek and said, “Excuse me but if it's fine I would like to sing.” He had a huge welcome and great reception. After singing he got down from his stool, and then walked straight out of the room! Alaric has left the building! I guess he figured he did what he came to do. We thoroughly enjoyed watching him grinning the whole way down the aisle as the people clapped.
If you live in McDowell County you need to bring your talent down to the Sterling and share in the joy and together let's celebrate our culture!
Open Mic Night
By Kyler & Lesa Wilson
“In a world of people
who couldn't care less,
be someone who couldn't care more.”
-Unknown
Community Roll & Read!
Our local War Librarian lead the way with an interactive reading of Eric Carle’s “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” book to the children. They moved on to learning Sign Language, Zumba fitness exercise, healthy fruit snack activities, puppets, fingerprint crafts, a decorating station and all the while filling their bags with new children’s books and resources for parents. Unicare provided healthy snacks at the end of a fun filled day at Atwell Community Park.
Parents As Teachers has a strong commitment to improving children’s school readiness and school success. The Roll and Read event blended two important goals of literacy and physical well-being. Unicare partnered with us to provide this wonderful opportunity for families with small children. Sixteen amazing community agencies with common goals partnered in this event!
"The event encouraged the culture of family learning, as well as showing children how to see reading as a fun activity. Reconnecting McDowell provided 25 board book copies of The Very Hungry Caterpillar."
-Reconnecting McDowell
CREATE CHANGE
IN MCDOWELL
TODAY!
The Community Crossing can do so much more with your help. We are very fortunate to have the Parents As Teachers grant through WV DHHS, however the grant does not cover the cost of our key supportive ministries:
-
Home repairs to ensure children have a safe environment
-
Black Diamond boxing club to encourage fitness and discipline in youth
-
Men's basketball and other community sports for all ages
-
Support and resources for entrepreneurs in our county
-
Healing for drug and alcohol addiction - presently we are praying for the development of an effective ministry
-
CCX Missional Magazine covering McDowell County in monthly issues
Would you prayerfully consider giving
$30, $50 or $100 per month
in support of Community Crossing?