Northside Drive Baptist Church continues to support our mission partner organizations as our community, state and nation continue to deal with the COVID crisis and the many difficult situations that have resulted. We have found new ways to gather and support each other, thanks to our amazing staff and members who go above and beyond. We have a Church School class, a book group focused on issues of race, wonderful music from our talented staff and members, Wednesday Bible study, special times for our children, as well as our comforting and challenging worship services.
At this time of great need for so many in our community, the Missions Ministry Team is also looking for ways we can get more involved with the work of our missions partners and the individuals they serve. Thanks to your continued financial support of Northside Drive, we have been able to meet our financial commitments to the various organizations. Some of you have asked for other ways to help those who are struggling and need our help. We have reached out to some organizations, and below is a list of opportunities for you to get involved.
One of our long-time partners, Urban Recipe, moved last week into a new facility, the original Atlanta Community Food Bank building at 970 Jefferson St. NW. They are in need of volunteers to help put together food boxes for delivery to people around the metro area. There is a link on their website for volunteers to sign up. We hope you saw the great photo of NDBC member Dave Wooten volunteering at Urban Recipe recently that was shared by Daniel.
Buckhead Christian Ministry (BCM) has volunteer opportunities at their thrift store, Buckhead THRIFTique, where individuals and families with children 15 years and older can serve. The store, located at 800 Miami Circle NE, Suite 160, Atlanta 30324, has developed a very strict safety and sanitation plan to keep everyone safe. Since their reopening in June, they have been successful with resuming store operations within limited hours. Volunteers have enjoyed helping at the store.
BCM also has virtual roles that include helping to review and confirm financial assistance appointments and providing support with résumé writing. Information about virtual opportunities or signing up for in-person shifts in the Thriftique is available here.
The Stewart Center has been our missions partner for many years. They serve one of the city’s most challenged neighborhoods. As the school year starts, the Center is working to meet the needs of neighborhood children. They will be holding learning labs (pods) during the school day in which kids will be in small groups while staff facilitate a "classroom" to help these students succeed. After a few weeks into the school year, they also plan to offer afternoon pods geared toward tutoring. Northside Drive is delivering lots of wonderful school supplies (pencils, paper, notebooks, crayons, etc.) to the Center this week. Church members have been donating these school necessities throughout the year.
A special request from the Center this year is for earbuds and headphones for the students to help them concentrate while they are online with their classes or doing homework. If you would like to help, please use the link below to the Stewart Center’s Amazon Wish List. Once you add to their cart from the wish list and check out, select the option to ship to Ashley Hicks’s Gift Registry.
Mask-Making Volunteers Needed
Northside Drive has several ways several ways to support groups making and providing masks for senior centers, hospitals, schools, and others.
NW Metro Mask Makers---
2) Buy masks to donate or donate fabric.
Middle East Bible Outreach
Following the horrific explosion in Beirut and the resulting suffering and chaos, Daniel was contacted by a friend who works with the Middle East Bible Outreach and other affiliated organizations in Lebanon asking for our help. Below are excerpts from the letter Daniel received from Scott Gustafson, Executive Director.
“I am reaching out today on behalf of the LSESD/MEBO family of ministries in Beirut….our whole family of ministries has been drastically affected by the recent explosions and is responding to the urgent needs in Beirut. The needs are immense. So many have lost their homes or been injured and many of our buildings and those of partner churches were damaged. We thank God that none of our staff have been seriously hurt. Just hours after the explosion, they were proactively working to help those in need.
“We are currently facilitating meals and housing at the ABTS guest house for families that have lost their homes. We are doing damage assessments for the Beirut Baptist School and Gateway Bookstore, along with many partner churches in the vicinity of the blast. Would you come alongside us as we seek to empower the church in bearing witness to the love of Christ by assisting our neighbors in Beirut with emergency needs in this time?”
As you pray and consider donating to these and other organizations helping across the nation and the world, please continue to support our church with your giving. Your gifts to NDBC help us continue our missions work in the metro area, the state and the world. As we learn of other volunteer opportunities, we will share them. Please tell us how you would like to help with our mission activities and also about your experiences volunteering with our partners. Thanks again for your commitment to missions.
Nancy and Barbara
