Our Ministries         

Visitation: Five teams of ten to twelve individuals rotate weekly visiting community members who are ill, homebound, or need a contact by a caring neighbors. The teams are an adjunct to Les Stine, our pastoral member, and are intended as an assist to him in making all necessary contacts. A planning meeting is conducted each Monday morning to prepare that week's team, with Les providing the leadership and guidance. Each team has a captain to help coordinate the contacts and report results. If you are aware of someone who has a need or if you would like to be on one of the teams, Contact Gladys Williams at 903.882.5422.

Prayer Chain: Our church is comprised of  proactive "prayer warriors" who are concerned and involved in the welfare of members of the community. In a correlative and mutually reinforcing effort to the visitation program, the names and needs of those we have been asked to hold in prayer are circulated in the community by e-mail and word of mouth. If you would like prayer for someone for whom you're concerned, call Mary Richardson at 903.882.6000.

Adopt-A-Friend: This is another corollary to the visitation program, aimed at providing reassurance to those who may be living alone, or relatives nearby to help, or who may be living alone, or who have no relatives nearby to help, or who just need a personal point of contact they can call if they have a problem. Those with some physical infirmity, in particular, may need occasional help to cope with daily independent living. If you know of someone in these circumstances, or if you wish to adopt a friend, contact Gladys Williams at 903.882.5422 or Norm Walker at 903.881.0770.

Teaching At Health Care Facilities: A number of volunteers basis, teach Sunday School studies at the Colonial Nursing and Lindale Health Care Center each Sunday.

Cancer Patients: A great many families have been touched by cancer, often with devastating results, and our church family has not been exempt. Our volunteers are cancer survivors, with special empathy and unique qualifications for care and counseling, and for choosing material to provide to newly-diagnosed patients. They also provide personal and continuing support, as needed. If you are aware of someone in need, or would like to assist in this ministry, call Sharon and Herb Havens at 903.882.1767 or Dody and Joe Stovall at 903.882.7277.

Grief: This ministry provides a means for those who have suffered a loss to find mutual support in exercising the opportunity to discuss common problems and experiences, and to socialize with others who have also suffered losses. A trained counselor, and appropriate materials are available at the monthly meetings. Attendance is variable, depending upon the need. Julia Gore may be contacted at 903.881.0822, Joy Anguish at 903.882.9997, or Donna White at 903.881.8313.

Crown Ministries: Finances are a universal concern, and the dynamics can be drastically altered by any number of factors, such as a death in the family or other unexpected event. Our volunteers have extensive background and training qualifications to provide education and counseling for those whose situations are a cause of concern or anxiety, and can help arrange short term help and long solutions. Additional resource material also is available in the church library. Contact Omer Adams at 903.882.9698 or Nancy Motley at 903.882.1228.

Support to Caregivers: Caregivers have special support needs, particularly those who are caring for Alzheimer's patients, regardless of the level of impairment. This ministry is meant to provide as much support in the form of visits, calls, transportation, reference material, respite, sympathetic understanding, referrals to appropriate support groups, and psychic and spiritual encouragement as is possible. The need is expected to increase dramatically. John Jack is trained and experienced, and has been especially effective in providing such support; he may be reached at 903.882.6940. Also, Peggy Goodwin at 903.882.1575, has organized resource material on Alzheimer's which is available in the church library.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Information on available research, drugs, and medications under development or in current use, effective treatments, and counseling on coping mechanisms may be requested from the church office at 903,882.6966.

Provide-A-Ride: Volunteers have committed to providing transportation for those who cannot drive themselves to the grocery, doctor, church or other required destinations. If you can make yourself available on an as-required basis, contact church office at 903.882.6966, or Norm Walker at 903.881.0770.

Homebound Library Books: Reading and research material can be delivered to homebound members by individuals who volunteer to do so. If you would like to either receive or help deliver books from the library, contact the church office: 903.882.6966, or Norm Walker: 903.881.0770.

Meals For Bereaved Families: Meals are prepared and served in our church for members of the community. Sunday school classes rotate on a monthly basis to provide leadership in recruiting church members to prepare and serve the meals. Two or three members of the class call individuals who have volunteered to participate in this ministry. Bettye Knighton at 903.882.6055 and Gail Glaspy at 903.882.0869 coordinate these efforts.

Quilters' Group: Quilts made by this group ("Pieces of God's Love") of dedicated ladies are donated to those in need, such as 'Children's Village', a family with children who have suffered a fire in their home, and such similar cases with special needs. The group meets at the church on the first and third Wednesday of each month, and is open to anyone who enjoys Christian fellowship, whether you can sew or not, Contact Sandra Sims at 903.882.8037.