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Outreach Ministries and Missions
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The following ministries and missions are supported by the churches of Washington County Iowa. The mission and hope of the FOC ministry is for disciples of Christ, made up of unique and diverse parts, to unite as one family, one body, to be the hands, feet, and voice of our Lord, and reflect God's love; justice, truth, and grace. |
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Community Outreach
 
  Home Repair Ministry
The Family of Christ Home Repair ministry helps home owners with necessary home repair work. Examples of repair work can be, but not limited to the following; roofing, plumbing, electrical, window and screen, or flooring.
Referrals need to be made through the following agencies.
HACAP of Washington County 319-653-7275
Washington County Public Health 319-653-7758
Parents as Teachers 319-653-7758
If you would wish to donate building supplies or make a donation to this ministry then you may contact someone with the ministry at 319-548-0056.
Once a referral is made the family will be contacted by someone with the Family of Christ ministry to set up an intake visit to meet the family and assess the need and plan the repair work. A team of individuals participating in this ministry will be contacted to perform the repair work.  
 
 
Acts of Random Kindness Ministry (ARK) The Family of Christ Acts of Random Kindness Ministry is based off of Steve Sjogren’s work. “Conspiracy of Kindness”by Steve Sjogren shows ways the church can show God’s love through easy and simple acts of kindness that he calls servant evangelism. Acts of kindness can sow seeds that lead people to Christ. He writes, “According to the Bible, only one true and lasting sign identifies us as followers of Jesus through all times and cultures. The world around us recognizes the same sign that Jesus pointed to: our love. “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35 RSV). This love must spill over from the walls of our churches and out into the community in significant ways if we are going to make any lasting impact. It seems people don’t necessarily remember what they are told of God’s love, but they never forget what they have experienced of God’s love.”
Acts of Random Kindness Ministry is an example of God’s love spilling over from the walls of our churches and out into the community. Acts of Random Kindness Ministry has shown God’s love in our community by doing free Christmas Gift wrapping, handing out quarters at the Laundromat, giving away free gift bags at the local Health Centers and Retirement Homes, and giving away free umbrellas at a local track meet. This ministry does not involve much work or time but does make a positive impact with the people it reaches. A random act of kindness is done at least once a month through this ministry.
The goal of Acts of Random of Kindness Ministry is to unite followers regardless of denominational affiliation to show God’s love in the community through good works. If you would like to join this ministry or learn more then you may contact someone with this ministry at 319-653-1086. On March 23, 2010 members from the Faith Baptist, United Presbyterian, St. James Catholic, and United Methodist congregations joined together to perform an ARK project at Moore BP and Casey's General Store gas stations.
Food Bank Challenge The Family of Christ ministry asked area churches to participate in a Food Bank Challenge to see how many food boxes could be collected for the local HACAP Food Bank in the month of October. The Food Bank Challenge also asked for money to go toward food vouchers. The idea of the challenge came about due to local donations not meeting the need for food boxes and money vouchers.
Three local churches participated in this challenge, St. James Catholic, United Presbyterian, and United Methodist. A total of 35 food boxes and $1180 for food vouchers was donated to our local HACAP food bank. The Foc plans to have this challenge each year. 
HACAP Food Bank Food Boxes: Serves approximately 100-120 families per month. Receives 90 to 150 boxes of food per month from the HACAP Food Reservoir. Receives from local churches approximately 20 completed boxes ready to hand out per month. Occasionally receives food that is not boxed for distribution. If there is enough items to make complete food boxes they are distributed locally. Receive monetary contributions from some churches that are used to purchase food gift cards to purchase perishable items. Spend at least $1000.00 per month on perishable items. 
Hamakua Youth Center For youth ages 6th grade(12) thru adult. Our mission is to provide a distinctly Christian experience to the teens of our community! The teen center strives to provide a wholesome alternative to exisiting recreation and entertainment as well as be encouraging, uplifting, and committed to sharing the love of Jesus Christ with our teens. We promote respectful attitudes, a safe and secure, substance-free environment. Strive to help teens cultivate friendships and build positive relationships. Check out our website for more details: http://www.hamakuaplace.com/ 
Friendship Emergency Fund is an ecumenical fund that is administered by HACAP in conjunction with the guidelines established by the Washington Area Minister's Association. It is for rent, deposits, emergency meds or transportation and other needs. The maximum per family is $150. Occasionally it is used for people traveling through, but usually it is for Washington County residents who have an emergency or lack of funds. Several churches make regular donations to this fund and our ecumenical worship services receive an offering for it at Church in the Park and the Thanksgiving ecumenical Worship service. 
Meals on Wheels Provides home-delivered meals services to people in need. Several Washington area churches help with the delivery of meals throughout the year.
Christmas Adoption is when the Washington Area Ministerial Association askes agencies, churches, civic groups, and individuals to work with HACAP to purchase gifts for families at Christmas. This past Christmas 230 familes with 562 children were served.
Kids Against Hunger On February 3rd of 2010 St. James Catholic congregation spearheaded a community wide project to make meal packets through the Kids Against Hunger program. Along with members of the St. James congregation, members of the United Presbyterian, United Methodist congregations, HAMAKUA Christian Youth Center, and members of service organizations, made 34,400 meals. This was the first ever community wide effort of its kind. 
Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian organization. We are dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness worldwide and to making adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. Our ministry was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, decent place to live in dignity and safety. Several Washington area churches participate in Habitat for Humanity.
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Social Justice
  Brandon Bunnell Gun Safety Ministry To protect and defend individuals God given right to live free from gun violence and accidental shootings On May 3, 2006, 22 days shy of his 14th birthday, Brandon Bunnell was intentionally shot by another youth with an assault rifle. Later that night Brandon died, the bullet caused too much damage for Brandon to be saved. This ministry's mission is to promote gun safety by dispensing information showing the dangers involving firearms and on safe use and access to firearms. FREE GUN LOCKS in Washington are available at the Washington Public Safety Center when available. The free gun locks are provided through the Child Safe Program.
CORE VALUES
1. An individuals God give right to live takes precedence over an individuals constitutional right to bear arms. 2. The use of any gun can be dangerous in that a bullet fired from a gun either damages, destroys, injures, or kills what it hits. Therefore, guns need to be safely secured and any youth under the age of 18 firing a gun needs to be under the direct supervision of a responsible adult. 3. Any gun owner who does not safely secure their gun and take all prudent steps to prevent its use by another individual or allows a youth to have unsupervised access is negligent. 4. As a ministry under the Family of Christ Ecumenical Ministry, this ministry recognizes that followers of Christ strive daily to show God’s love by performing loving acts towards others. Therefore, out of love for others followers of Christ strive to do all they can to eliminate gun violence, accidental shootings, and promote and advocate for gun safety.
This ministry is being established in memory of Brandon Bunnell and to all victims like Brandon of gun violence and accidental shootings. SAFETY TIPS Unload firearms and lock them up.
Lock and store ammunition separately.
Hide keys where children can’t find them.
Teach children not to touch firearms and tell an adult if they find a firearm.
Directly supervise youth under 18 when firearms are used. IN THE NEWS WSB-TV2 (Atlanta), 4/9/2010
Spalding Georgia 4-year-old girl shot by twin brother with father's gun
A four-year-old boy found his father's loaded gun and ended up shooting his twin sister with the weapon inside the family house. The parents were in the house at the time. The girl was shot in the leg and is expected to recover.
The Herald-Mail (Hagerstown, MD), 4/9/2010
Berkeley County West Virginia boy, 11, accidentally kills self with gun
An 11-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed himself with a gun in the home that did not belong to any family member. The boy's sister was in the apartment when the shooting occured.
St. Petersburg Times, 3/6/2010
St. Petersburg boy, 17, shot by 17-year-old friend playing with gun
A 17-year-old boy was shot by his 17-year-old friend as the friend twirled a loaded gun on his finger. The boys said they found the firearm.
ABC4-WTAE Pittsburgh, 3/6/2010
Swissvale Pennsylvania 10-year-old accidentally shoots friend, 14
A 10-year-old boy accidentally shot his 14-year-old friend with a gun found loaded in the house. There were five kids playing with two guns while there were adult in the house when the accident happened. It is unclear where the guns came from.
NBC4 Miami, 2/28/2010
Deerfield Beach Florida boy, 10, kills brother, 11 with father's gun
A 10-year-old boy shot and killed his 11-year-old brother with a loaded gun found in their father's car. The gun belonged to the dad who put it in the car earlier the day and forgot to bring it back in the house with him.
WHNT News-19 (Huntsville, AL), 2/28/2010
Theodore Alabama 15-year-old shoot cousin, 17, with found rifle
A 15-year-old accidentally shot his cousin, 17, with a rifle found in the woods. The gun accidentally discharged when the boys hit the gun against a car window.
Montgomery Advertiser, 2/22/2010
Montgomery Alabama 14-year-old accidentally shot in chest
A 14-year-old boy was accidentally shot in the chest while playing with a gun with two other boys. It is unclear who was holding the gun when it discharged or how the boys got the firearm.
ABC ActionNews (Tampa), 2/21/2010
Clearwater 3-year-old shot by brother, 6, with loaded gun kept on TV
A 3-year-old boy was accidentally shot by his 6-year-old brother with a loaded gun the child found on top of a television in a bedroom in the house. The boys' mother was in the house at the time. The gun belonged to the boys' father.
WALB News-10 (Albany, GA), 2/15/2010
Blakely Georgia 2-year-old kills himself with parents gun
A 2-year-old boy found a loaded gun in the store that his parents' own and ended up shooting and killing himself. It is unclear how the boy got a hold of the weapon.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 2/14/2010
Seattle 17-year-old shoots teenage friend
A 17-year-old boy accidentally shot his teenage friend while they were drinking and handling a gun. It is unclear where the boys acquired the firearm.
St. Louis Globe-Democrat, 2/13/2010
St. Louis 11-year-old critically injured after accidentally shooting himself
An 11-year-old boy accidentally shot himself with a loaded gun he found in a storage room while visiting a neighbor's house. The gun belonged to a 52-year-old.
Hamilton County (IN) Star, 2/10/2010
Hamilton County Indiana boy, 14, kills brother with shotgun found in garage
A 14-year-old boy killed his brother, 16, when playing with a hunting shotgun he thought unloaded. The boys were having a snowball fight when they ran into the garage. The younger brother jokingly pointed the gun that they were going to use later for hunting when it accidentally discharged. www.kidsandguns.org
PREVENTION
An estimated 31 percent of all unintentional shootings could be prevented by the presence of two safety features; trigger locks and loading indicators.
Gun owners should always store unloaded firearms and ammunition in separate, locked locations and use safety devices.
All parents should teach children never to touch a gun and tell an adult if they find a gun.
Pediatrics Vol. 106 December 2000
FACTS ABOUT KIDS AND GUNS
Every nine hours a child or teen was killed in a firearm-related accident or suicide in 2005.
Since 1990, more then 5,000 children have been killed in firearm accidents.
In 2005, there were 16,298 kids injured by a firearm.
On average, 3 children died every day in non-homicide firearm incidents from 2000-2005.
Centers for Disease and Control
In 72% of unintentional deaths and injures, suicides, and suicide attempts with a firearm of 0-19 year-olds, the firearm was stored in the residence of the victim, a relative, or a friend.
Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine
40% of American households with children have guns.
Peter Hart Research Associates
Among homes with children and firearms, 40% had at least on unlocked firearm and 13% kept their unlocked firearm loaded and stored with ammunition.
RAND Corporation Brandon's Story Brandon Michael Bunnell was born on May 25, 1992. On May 3, 2006 just 22 days shy of Brandon’s 14th birthday another youth intentionally shot Brandon with an assault rifle. Latter that night Brandon died, the bullet caused too much damage for Brandon to be saved. The youth who shot Brandon had easy access to the assault rifle and ammunition.
Brandon’s family and friends were in shock and devastated at his death. For them, it was like living a nightmare. Time continues to pass by but the loss and heartache they feel will linger for the rest of their lives. The lives of Brandon’s family members will never be the same with Brandon gone. They do not feel whole in his absence. They yearn to see his smile, hear him laugh, to hug and to hold him, to be with him. Yet, their heartache deepens knowing they cannot.
Brandon touched people’s lives in a positive way and he had many friends. He was described as a “sweet” person and it was not uncommon for Brandon to regularly give his friends and family hugs and tell them he loved them. Brandon often had his friends over to his home. They would challenge each other to boxing or wrestling matches or ride their bikes on the ramps that Brandon and his grandfather built. Brandon was helpful toward others and often helped his grandfather in his construction work. Brandon enjoyed going to the YMCA and he was involved in the 3B1 Christian youth ministry.
Many of Brandon’s peers were saddened upon hearing of his death. Some created memorial websites on the internet in his honor, to share in their heartache, reaching out to Brandon with their love. Many of his peers attended his funeral along with the rest of the 650 people packed into the sanctuary of the Open Bible Church to say goodbye to their friend. One peer honored Brandon by saying that all the other kids picked on her and made fun of her, but not Brandon. She said Brandon talked to her just like he would to anyone else. This peer indicated Brandon’s kindness made a lasting impression on her.
Like all of us, God created a beautiful and loving person in Brandon Michael Bunnell. Brandon was living out what God created him to be. It was not God’s will to have Brandon, one of his own, to be killed, but God has welcomed Brandon to his eternal home.
As a follower of Christ I ask myself how am I to live out my faith in the face of such an unjust and upsetting act, an act against the will and character of God. The answer came to me to reach out with compassion and take action. To try and prevent such an act from happening again so no other family has to experience such a nightmare. As a believer and follower of Christ will you join in to reach out with compassion and take action?
Please join this ministry so we can do all we can to prevent more deaths like Brandons. If you want to help with this ministry then call Jon Coon at 319-548-0056.
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Emergency Response Missions
Attica Tornado Clean Up on May 31, 2008. A group of 12 individuals from two congregations joined together to help the people of Attica, Iowa clean up after the tornado.  
Flood Buckets June 2008: Four congregations joined together and assembled 145 Flood Buckets. The Flood Buckets were distributed to flood victims in Cedar Rapids and Oakville. Several local businesses helped in this mission by giving discounted prices on items for the Flood Buckets. 
Flood Work Crews Summer 2008: We have sent work crews to help with the flood clean up in Oakville. Two crews consisting of members of the Washington United Presbyterian and Methodist congregations went to Oakville to do flood clean up.
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Copyright © 2010 Family of Christ: United in Showing God's Love. All Rights Reserved.
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Ministries and Missions