The Benevolence Ministry seeks to support and encourage people in need by connecting them with resources inside of our church community. Our Deacons will work with individuals to provide them with information, not just to meet their immediate needs, but help them plan for the future. If you are in need and would like to apply for benevolence assistance, please complete the form below:
The proper stewardship of the benevolence funds requires that requests meet certain criteria in both their scope and frequency. Guidance for these criteria is as follows:
- Assistance will only be issued for needs that are basic and primary in nature. This includes costs associated with food, clothing, housing, utilities, transportation, medical services, and family emergencies (illness, death, loss of job, etc.).
- Assistance will not be issued for requests associated with non-essential costs such as pet care, taxes, court fees, vacations, recreation, or illegal or addictive substances.
- A person/family may make one request per year prior to a mandatory meeting with at least one deacon.
- A second request annually will require a face-to-face inquiry with a deacon concerning the person’s/family’s financial situation prior to being granted.
- More than two requests within year will require that the person meet with at least one deacon and a pastor/elder and approval prior to being granted.
- Beyond these parameters, frequent, ongoing, questionable, or reoccurring requests for assistance will require that the person meets with a pastor/elder for counsel and completes a course of financial guidance and training, either through our ministry or a recommended book or resource prior to assistance.
- The Chairman of Deacons may ask to see previous requests from the Secretary to be reviewed.
- The Chairman of Deacons may work closely with the Overseer/Elder of Administration to become aware of other factors they may not be aware of.