The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

MEMBERS of the United Faith Ministries International will host its Friends and Family Community Outreach Day this Sunday.

Organisers said excitement is building for a much anticipated event, which will take place on the church grounds, Fire Trail Road, beginning at 9.45am.

"Apostle Phalmon Ferguson, senior pastor of United Faith Ministries International, is passionate about families working out their God-given purpose and communities connecting to empower each other for better, stronger, more productive lives," said a church representative.

According to Apostle Ferguson, this initiative hopes to bring people from all walks of life into one environment, for one purpose: "To Reach People and Change Lives", which also the event's theme.

"This initiative is also designed to be an opportunity, a Sunday dedicated to returning to be our brother's keeper. My heart feels the burden for the community, for the people of this Bahamaland. Many are struggling, feeling helpless and hopeless, and are unsure of where to turn. I believe that it is time for the true church of God to arise," said Apostle Ferguson.

He believes his church can be a spiritual hospital of sorts for those who are broken, and a resource for those who lack basic necessities: clothing, a hot meal, or groceries.

Immediately following the service on Sunday, lunch will be served to all in attendance. Additionally, clothing items, groceries and other ministry resources will also be available for those in need.

"You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving. If we are called to love others as Christ loved us then we must be concerned about the spiritual and physical well-being of others. We must never take for granted the condition of our fellow brothers and sisters. How many of us know our neighbours by name? When was the last time that we extended ourselves to be a blessing to someone else?" said Apostle Ferguson.

An outreach effort such as this, organisers said, helps in healing the land, uniting communities and providing hope. They believe the Friends, Family, and Community Outreach Day has the potential to be a day that changes the future course of someone's life.

"This is not about reaching inward, but reaching outward, to affect an entire nation for the Kingdom of God," added Apostle Ferguson.