Church Buzz

One of the great joys of writing this column is finding relatively small churches that are making a difference.

Pineview Baptist Church in West Columbia is one of those. They have had a ministry at Oak Grove Mobile Home Park longer than most can remember according to Missions Coordinator, Stephanie Charbonneau.

Pineview uses their home in Oak Grove MHP for community outreach.

Stephanie and others started using it for a Thursday night kid’s ministry. There were 10-12 children who attended each week. That program has been moved to Wednesday nights in the gym at the church.

Through a long term partnership with Love ‘n Laughter Daycare, they now use the Day care’s bus to pick up kids at Oak Grove MHP and take them to the church. And the numbers have climbed steadily. Now they average around 40-50 regulars.

It wasn’t always so easy. First, the church had to establish trust and consistent presence with the residents. Now they also have a food pantry and clothes bank for residents on Thursdays. They even have back-to-school supply drives and a Christmas “Adopt-A-Child” program to provide gifts for the kids.

Through a partnership

with PASOs they also do

an annual health fair. Residents can get health

screenings, eye exams,

breast cancer screenings

and legal services.

PASOs is a nonprofit

which provides services

and resources to Latino communities throughout the state.

Pineview church members truly love those in the community and are very involved.

They demonstrate the love of Jesus by spending time and mentoring the kids as well as buying presents for them.

Of course the kids love presents. Who doesn’t? but they appreciate the love and attention even more.

Do you have a ministry you want to talk about? Call

me at 348-0243 or email

chuck1946@hotmail.com