‘You Are Never Too Young To Help Those In Need’

Recent outreach projects at Wesley UMC engage members of all ages to assist

Wesley UMC in Greenville has a heart for community outreach. The church believes everyone in the church can reach out to their neighbors.

“Community outreach is the foundation of Wesley UMC local missions that are performed year-round by Sunday School classes, children and youth and various church organizations,” Wesley UMC staff member Natalie Pegg said.

Wesley CARes is a project of the JOY Group – Just Older Youth. The group collected supplies and donations to fill blessing bags for distribution in the local Greenville area and more broadly in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. During a recent packing party, people of all ages helped fill bags with socks, toiletries, wipes, snacks, bottled water and blankets.

As a result of their work, 250 bags were filled. Church members and guests are encouraged to keep a bag or two in their vehicles to share when they encounter someone in need.

"We are called to serve others. Figuring out how to implement and make this happen is a critical key,” Wesley UMC member Forrest Kennedy said. “This first Wesley CARes project does just that by providing blessing bags to those who have fallen on hard times.”

Outreach is not just for adults and Vacation Bible School; it is a great place for children to learn.

Like many other churches, Wesley had a competition during its VBS to benefit an organization. The girls and the boys were to see who would bring the most cereal boxes for FISH Ministries. FISH Ministries is a partnership between area churches, community members, businesses, nonprofits, social services agencies and foundations to feed the hungry and assist families in crisis.

During the four-day event, the children collected 328 boxes of cereal to donate to FISH Ministries and fill their pantry.

“With this outreach came a valuable lesson: you are never too young to help those in need,” Pegg said.

Published: Wednesday, August 7, 2019