Allendale Partnerships

Last week, as the conclusion to the Grace Church’s 2010 Adopt-A-Child event, 91 students from Allendale-Fairfax Middle School participated in a cultural trip to Columbia. These students were selected for their improvement in selected Math and English skills. These students, along with Grace Members from Greenville, met in Columbia and spent the day at the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. This trip began Grace Church’s 2011 CE activities in Allendale County. By the end of the year, over 400 Grace Members will interact with Allendale County students, parents, teachers, and residents.

Planned opportunities for Grace Member’s to invest in Allendale County during the first half of 2011 include:

·         February 17 and 18, a construction trip to help complete the Fairfax Community Center;

·         March 4 and 5 , a food distribution to over 250 families in conjunction with Vision Ministries;

·         A mid-March trip for 30 college students from Clemson University and Anderson University working at area schools, the Boys and Girls Club, and students at USC Salkehatchie;

·         Visits to area schools for teacher appreciation and student fun days; and

·         Summer mission trips for middle school and high school students.

Grace Church’s involvement in this rural county goes beyond resource provision. The above trips will allow Grace Members to create relationships and build community with the residents of Allendale County. We know for long term change to occur where generational poverty exists, participation by the local residents in the process is imperative. We must avoid paternalism and offering relief where rehabilitation and development is the appropriate action. Therefore, efforts will include selection of a summer intern from Allendale, placing two Grace Students in Allendale for the summer, and identification of an entrepreneur to participate in the Nasha lending ministry.

Joey Espinosa’s hiring as the Unit Director of the Allendale County Boys and Girls Club provides an on the ground resource as well as a voice in the discussion of community needs and direction. To learn more about Joey and Joanna’s decision to relocate their family and commit themselves to the children of Allendale County, read Joey’s blog, A Different Way. We as a church body have the opportunity to support the Espinosas’ through monthly or one-time financial gifts. If interested or if you have questions, please contact Joey at differentway4kids@gmail.com or Jeff Randolph, Culturally Engaged Domestic Director, at jrandolph@gracechurchsc.org.

We invite to join us and be part of what God is doing in Allendale County.