HELPING HANDS COME TO COVINGTON-FREEDOM HOUSE

The following report is submitted by Michelle Vega, a staff pastor at Forest Hill Church of God in Mobile, Alabama concerning their recent church trip to Freedom House Church of God in Covington, LA. Kathy and I went over to be part of the day's activities. The church does an annual block party for their community and chose this year to do this party for the Covington community at the campground adjacent to Freedom house. Our area pastors were invited as well to bring their churches. We appreciate Pastor Derwood and Jean Perkins for their commitment to Louisiana in this effort and many others as well. Enjoy the report...

It was no ordinary day for Freedom House in Covington, Louisiana. On Saturday, October 8, the Freedom House church grounds were flooded with 130 smiling faces from Forest Hill Church of God in Mobile, Alabama. Each year, Forest Hill holds a Block Party at their church as an outreach event to their community. Due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, Derwood Perkins, Pastor of Forest Hill, along with his staff, decided to bless a community other than their own this year. After speaking with Jeff Hammond, the Pastor of Freedom House, and seeing a need in that area, it was determined to take the Block Party to the people of Covington.

The Party involved many facets of ministry to the community. As children and their parents poured onto the church property, they found numerous activities to engage in. Several inflatable rides, such as the moonwalk and an extreme obstacle course, were awaiting the children. Also, the kids could try their hand at various carnival type games at which they walked away with fun prizes. Giggles and bursts of laughter were heard all day long as the children took advantage of this day of fun.

One of the focal points of the event was a free give-away of backpacks filled with school supplies. The people of Forest Hill Church of God rallied together and brought 664 backpacks with school supplies to bless the children of Covington and surrounding areas. Each child that attended the Block Party received a backpack. The remaining backpacks were sent to local schools to be given to children who were displaced by the hurricane. One would have thought it was Christmas morning as with excitement children tore into their backpacks, anxious to see what was inside.

While the children played hard at the church, many Forest Hill men worked hard at the church and in the community. A construction crew busily tackled a project given to them by Pastor Jeff of Freedom House. Meanwhile, yard crews were dispatched into neighborhoods to remove fallen trees from the roofs, driveways, and yards of homes. The owners of those homes expressed their gratitude to the men with tears of thanks.

No one went hungry at the Block Party. Forest Hill provided a free meal for everyone. Hamburgers, hotdogs, chips, cold drinks, snow cones, and popcorn were all on the day’s menu. In return, Freedom House graciously cooked a wonderful meal for the Forest Hill team of workers. To help those who were in need, whether due to Hurricane Katrina or for other reasons, Forest Hill also gave out boxes of food and personal care items that had been provided by Feed the Children.

October 8 in Covington was a victorious day. Hope was given and the love of Jesus Christ was shared with all. The pastors of both churches were thrilled with the efforts and outcome of the party. Pastor Jeff Hammond commented to the Forest Hill workers, “You came at an opportune time. Covington needed this kind of ministry and you have impacted our community in a great way for Jesus. The best we can say is, ‘Thank you so much!’” --Michelle Vega