Year-round support needed for the hurting, struggling, hungry
By David Dawson
ddawson@tnbaptist.org
FRANKLIN — Research compiled by various organizations in recent years confirms that Americans are far more likely to support charities and non-profit groups during the holidays than at any other time during the year.
One published report, by NeonOne, showed that nearly one-third (31 percent) of all donations/giving to the non-profit sector occurs around the holidays. Another report revealed that 57 percent of Americans say that their charitable inclinations are linked to the holidays.
These numbers aren’t particularly surprising — since Christmas is widely viewed as the season of giving — but they are, in some ways, troubling.
Beth Moore, compassion ministries specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, said her hope is that more people, especially believers, would understand that helping others never goes out of season. People are hurting, hungry and in need of help throughout the year, she said.
“I would challenge our churches to always be looking for unmet needs in their community and see how they can use their unique gifts and talents to meet those needs to begin building relationships outside their church walls,” said Moore.
Compassion ministries is designed to help establish those links, Moore said. While many organizations focus on one specific purpose or need, Compassion Ministries incorporates an overarching approach to assisting others.
“When most people think of compassion ministries, they think of feeding the hungry,” Moore said. “But there are many other ways to serve our communities.”
Moore listed several ways in which people can get involved with and/or support those in need, including: meeting emotional needs through grief groups, divorce care groups or recovery ministry; serving in a crisis pregnancy center; ministering to the incarcerated; offering English classes to those in need.
Moore also noted that CM is continuing to work with churches who want to minister to refugees and other international families.
CM is hosting a webinar in January to raise awareness about human trafficking and how our churches can serve, assist and minister to those who are vulnerable.
“These are just a few of the areas where people can get involved,” Moore said. “There are so many ways to help.”
In recent years, a worldwide movement has emerged — called “Giving Tuesday” — that promotes and encourages the idea of giving to charities across the globe. Held each year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, the movement was designed as a charitable answer to “Black Friday.”
But as noble as this concept might be, Moore hopes that Christians will adopt the idea that assisting those in need shouldn’t be limited to a once-a-year event. It can be a daily occurrence, she said.
“One great way to be aware of ongoing needs is to follow Tennessee Baptists on social media, where prayer needs are given each day,” she said.
Those who are interested in supporting compassion ministries can do so by giving through the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions, Moore said.
“It is only through the generosity of churches who give to GOTM that we are able to support CM,” Moore said. “It is what allows us to build relationships in communities and share the gospel.”
Like most ministries, CM has been impacted by COVID over the past two years. The pandemic has created a huge uptick in needs — and thus, an increase in opportunities to serve, Moore said.
“Because of COVID, the needs in our communities are great,” Moore said. “Our feeding ministries across the state are seeing more and more clients come and the cost of food continues to rise, making it difficult to meet all the needs. There is also a continued rise in prescription drug abuse and with that comes the need for more people to minister to these hurting individuals.”
Moore said churches can be a source of encouragement to those are dealing with heavy circumstances during these difficult days.
“So many people have lost loved ones, lost jobs, and just lost hope,” Moore said. “We, the church, have a tremendous opportunity and responsibility to step into these hurting places and offer hope.”
Compassion ministries recently completed one of its largest statewide events of the year — the Christmas Backpacks Ministry, which provides toys, food and other items to at-risk and low-income children across Tennessee. This year, Tennessee Baptist churches donated 5,781 backpacks.
“I was blown away by the generosity of our churches,” said Moore. “In December, we had churches and ministries across the state hosting Christmas events to distribute these backpacks and more importantly share the gospel with these children and their families.”
Moore, who has served as director of CM since July of last year, said she is excited and encouraged to see the dedication of Tennessee Baptists to help others through selfless acts.“I love having a front row seat to watch how God is using Tennessee Baptists to meet needs in their communities,” she said.
Moore hopes to see even more of that in 2022 — not just around the holidays, but throughout the year.
“When I was approached about transitioning to this role, I was reading in Isaiah 58 where God calls out empty worship and challenges his people to authentic worship,” she said. “He promises blessing to his people that care for others and says they will be called ‘the restorer of streets where people live.’
“This has been, and will continue to be, my prayer — that Tennessee Baptist churches will be restorers of the streets where we live as we meet needs in our communities, build relationships and share the gospel,” she said. B&R