CLOWNS FOR CHRIST
The Clowns for Christ initially worked to minister and teach within our church.
Now, they routinely go to a variety of local venues to minister, including
fairs, schools, libraries, and other public gatherings. They paint faces, make
balloon animals and talk with the children. While they entertain the children,
our outreach pastor and volunteers talk with their parents and other adults
about the love of Christ and invite them to visit Albany Baptist.
Those who participate in this ministry actually go to "Clown
School" to learn how to minister and share the gospel
with people.
For more information, contact Pastor Bert Christian.
BASIC NEEDS MINISTRY (BNM)
This ministry was developed to help meet the basic needs of people in our community,
including food, clothing, and shelter. Staffed by volunteers, it is primarily
devoted to assisting the needy with food and clothing, but sometimes help with
rent or utility bills is given. Those in need can leave a message at 740-698-3163.
Each evening, volunteers return phone calls to verify needs and schedule appointments
to provide assistance.
In August of each year, the Basic Needs Ministry
also assists over 200 people with clothing in our yearly clothing
giveaway. Many volunteers sort the clothing
donated by the
congregation
and
the community.
At each giveaway, a gosple trax and DVD, litature of the church
and other information is given out to each person who attends
the clothing giveaway. In addition, our "Clowns
for Christ" are on hand to help entertain the children
during the event.
The goal of BNM is to provide basic assistance to those in
need, but ultimately the priority is to minister to their spiritual
needs by sharing with them the gospel message.
For more information, contact the church office.
VISITATION MINISTRIES
Our Pastor of Congregational Care and Outreach leads volunteers in a variety
of visitation ministries to follow up with visitors and to care for our members
that are sick or shut-in.
• GUEST VISITATION MINISTRY
The Guest Visitation Ministry was developed to insure that those who visit
our church receive a return visit in a timely manner. The goal is to get
to know guests a little better; provide information on the church's history,
present, and vision; and encourage them to visit Albany Baptist again.
• NURSING HOME VISITATION MINISTRY
Our Nursing Home Visitation Ministry began in 2002 to minister to our members
of Albany Baptist Church, along with others that we meet while visiting.
The Pastors alternate months in visiting
each of four local nursing homes (while the Pastor of congregational Care
and Outreach visits each month) to ensure that the residents
are
visited
consistently.
• HOSPITAL VISITATION MINISTRY
The Pastors of Albany Baptist Church primarily conducts the Hospital
Visitation Ministry since the major changes in privacy laws in April 2003,
which limits
information
on
who is
in the hospital. The Pastors visits and prays with the patients, and
makes themselves available to anyone else with spiritual needs.
For more information, contact Pastor Bert Christian.
