How Churches Can Provide Community and Support for Marginalized People
Many churches facilitate programs or projects that benefit economically or otherwise marginalized populations in their communities. It’s common for churches to conduct events like bake sales or car washes as well as ongoing programs, such as collecting donated goods. In James 2:14-17, the apostle writes that faith without good deeds is dead. Similar verses can be found throughout the Bible: helping others is one of the main tenets of Christianity and other religions.
At least one church has taken this principle one step farther by creating a permanent venue for such efforts. Sondays Community Church in Tomball, Texas (gathers at Main Street Crossing) recently founded a nonprofit organization called the Tomball Renewal Center. This communal space offers a place for community members to dine and socialize, but it also operates programs for those in need of physical, social, or spiritual support.
Providing Meals
The Tomball Renewal Center contains the Re:Bar Cafe and Juicestillery, where people of all backgrounds and beliefs can socialize over a meal or beverage in a friendly and unifying atmosphere. The cafe also runs a “Pay it Forward” program that allows customers to add the cost of additional meals to their bill. This helps the cafe offer meals free of charge to anyone who may need them.
Providing Sobriety Counseling and Resources
Also affiliated with the Center is the Tomball Renewal House. This six-person residential space twenty minutes away from the Center in Hockley, Texas provides support to women who are working toward long-term sobriety. Programming includes book and Bible study, recovery meetings, and volunteer work. The goal is not only to help women recover from addiction, but to help them grow spiritually as well.
Creating Jobs
Re:Bar’s Steampunk Juice is another community-oriented project. The goals behind the creation and sale of this juice are to offer a healthy product, support Sondays’ ministry, and to create jobs for marginalized people and disadvantaged jobseekers.
The Tomball Renewal Center is a community of people committed to walking alongside those looking for belonging, spiritual healing, recovery support, and practical assistance so that they may grow and thrive while experiencing the heart of God.
Contact us today to learn more about how you can benefit from or contribute to our programs. Please consider donating to help keep the Tomball Renewal Center going strong as we continue to support our community!
