outreach

CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH

Christ Lutheran Church, through works, actions and gifts, enthusiastically supports the vision of the ELCA Southeastern Synod:

“We will love God and Neighbor o that all people, transformed by the Holy Spirit, and believing in Jesus Christ, will be His disciples.”

In addition to Christ Lutheran Church’s General Fund budgeted items, its “Outreach Program” provides support each year for many charitable organizations. A good number of our members also personally volunteer their help and services to support the organizations listed in this brochure, as well as other organizations.

We are commanded by Christ to love one another; love is a choice, and love is an action!

MISSION STATEMENT

Christ Lutheran Church is a caring Community of the baptized people of God, saved by the gift of grace, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and sent into the world to share the Good News of God’s love.

The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these my brothers of mine,you did for me.” Matthew 25:40

AVALON CENTER FOR BATTERED WOMEN

This ministry provides emergency shelter to victims of abuse and their children. A portion of our Outreach Fund supports the shelter. This Center is also included in our “Barrel Ministry” (see below).

BARREL MINISTRY

In addition to contributing monetarily to the organizations listed in this brochure, each month we provide a barrel for the collection of material items for various ministries.

BREAD OF LIFE MISSION

This mission is a Christian resource for people experiencing a need for shelter or food. There are three buildings: a church for ministry with a strong focus on faith building resources, housing for men, and housing for women and families. The usual stay is three nights. The mission’s goal is to help the jobless find work and locate permanent housing (usually through the Crossville Housing Authority). Food baskets are also prepared for needy people in the Crossville area. We provide a noon meal each month on the 2nd Sunday.

CAMPUS MINISTRY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE

Tyson House is the home of the Lutheran-Episcopal campus ministry at UT in Knoxville. Students are provided with pastoral counseling, Sunday Worship Services and dinner.

CHRISTIAN COUNSELING CENTER

The Christian Counseling Center is a nonprofit faith-based organization. Their mission is to provide affordable counseling services that help build healthy families, strong marriages and fulfilled lives. They offer confidential, faith-based counseling for individuals, couples, children and families.

Coats for the Cold

Coats and other winter outerwear is collected to be given to those who do not have proper winter clothing. This is a county project that many organizations support.

CROSSVILLE MISSION BIBLE TRAINING CENTER

This is a resident facility with separate quarters for men and women who are attempting to break out of addiction. Intermingling is not encouraged, and Bible study is mandatory. This mission is funded entirely by donations. There is no government assistance due to the restrictions that would apply. Local individuals who ask to be accepted are initially taken in here, and then transferred to another facility to remove local influences. They state that their success rate is 80% and the local facility has been open for eighteen years while the parent group has been in existence for over 54 years. Many of the participants have been mandated by the judicial system to enter the program. In addition to financial assistance, this is also in our “Barrel Ministry.”

EASTER BASKETS

Easter baskets and items to fill these baskets are collected to give to needy children who have been identified for us. These baskets contain games, stuffed animals, books, and various types of candy.

FAIRFIELD GLADE FIRE DEPARTMENT

We provide monetary support to our volunteer fire department.

FAIRFIELD GLADE RESIDENT SERVICES

Dedicated to the principle that “together we can enhance our quality of life”, FGRS seeks to promote, develop and support human and social services that help make life in Fairfield Glade better for all residents. They address safety and security issues; support care for caregivers; provide transportation for errands and doctor appointments; provide educational opportunities for general health and wellness.

FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION

Fisher House Foundation is a comfort home where military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is in the hospital. We support the one in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

GOOD SAMARITANS

This is an organization that addresses the poverty in Cumberland County by providing a thrift store that offers donated clothing and other merchandise at bargain prices. It provides food through a stocked pantry and a “Caring Wheels Meals” program. A Social Services Department evaluates, tests, and counsels clients to determine what barriers send them to the agency for help. Good Samaritans also provides financial assistance with food, clothing, and necessary household items, assists with housing, utility bills, and medical expenses, and provides a self-help program. Counseling is provided to develop life management skills. In addition to financial assistance, this agency is also included in our “Barrel Ministry” and we participate in their “Backpack” food program during the school year.

GRIEFSHARE

GriefShare is a special weekly support group for people grieving the death of someone close. It is a place where you can be around people who understand how you feel and the pain of your loss. Information is shared to help individuals through this difficult time in their lives. Also, it’s open to the community.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

This is an ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to helping low-income families make into a reality the dream of home ownership. Families must make application, be accepted into the program, agree to make mortgage payments, pay closing costs, and invest 500 hours of “sweat equity” into their homes. Counseling to new homeowners is provided. 

HOSPICE OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Hospice of Cumberland County is a non-profit that will focus on the needs of the patient and the patient’s family first rather than on the financial bottom line. Hospice of Cumberland County offers a full range of exceptional services and support carefully established and refined over 30 years of service.

HOUSE OF HOPE

The House of Hope is more than just a 24/7 emergency shelter for children removed from the home due to drug endangerment, abuse or neglect. They take their cue from the Department of Children’s Services and Law Enforcement to find needs and fill them. They have multiple programs and services available to children and grandfamilies (grandchildren being raised by grandparents) and here they educate and report on the progress of those services.

KAIROS PRISON MINISTRY

The Kairos Prison Ministry is an international organization whose mission is to bring Christ’s love and forgiveness to all incarcerated individuals, their families and those who work with them, and to assist in the transition of the incarcerated back into society. Kairos inside is a well-organized program with well-trained team members, who spend 3 days with 30 prisoners conducting a short course in Christianity. The primary objective of the 3-day short course is prepare selected residents of the prison to begin a meaningful walk with Christ in the Christian Community within the prison.

KID’S CHRISTMAS

Members of CLC donate money and some members volunteer to shop for a small number of local children who will not have Christmas gifts without help. Members buy gifts off of a wish list that the children have made with their parents. The gifts are wrapped and given to the parents/grandparents.

KISWAHILI LUTHERAN MISSION – NASHVILLE

Christ Kiswahili Mission of Nashville began services in 2012.  This mission is served by Pastor Esther Ngomuo.  This is a mission to help refugees from East Africia who relocate to other nations where they will find safety.  The refugees are rigorously screened before traveling to new countries. Kiswahili refugees were relocated through Lutheran Family Services and World Relief. Kiswahili worships in Nashville at Christ Lutheran Church. Between the years 2012 and 2020 Kiswahili has helped over 870 children and their families find homes, schools, jobs, and new lives.

MORGAN/SCOTT PROJECT

The Morgan/Scott Project for Cooperative Christian Concerns addresses the many needs of the people in the poorest area of Tennessee. Their focus could be a simple as giving a child healthy food and as complicated as remodeling a run-down home.

NOVUS WAY

Lutherock / Lutheridge / Lutheranch

Funds are provided for general support for growth as well as repairs and rebuilding. Lutherock Camp near Newland, North Carolina, provides adventure-based outdoor ministry, featuring on-site high ropes courses, hiking, and rock climbing, combined with nearby whitewater rafting, caving, and backpacking on the Appalachian Trail. Lutheridge near Asheville, North Carolina, include a 41’ challenge tower, low ropes courses, and nearby canoeing, backpacking, and service opportunities. The camps are available for retreats and meetings. Lutheranch, located just west of Atlanta, Georgia is a 522-acre facility which was recently acquired by LLMI (Lutheridge + Lutherock Ministries, Inc.). The property comprises two lakes and a stream, a ranch and stables, and when fully developed will have many hiking trails along with a retreat center for both youth and adults. Development will be through many phases as funds are available.

PEAVINE CARE CENTER

Peavine Care Centers mission is to provide hope to those families in need along Peavine Road and the surrounding area through caring relationships by making available: packed food, mobile medical clinics, health education, literacy training and spiritual support.

PLATEAU CRISIS PREGNANCY SERVICES

The agency provides free and confidential pregnancy testing, material assistance, client advocates, post-abortion recovery, parenting classes, and adoption referrals. Age-appropriate abstinence education is provided through schools in Fentress, Cumberland, and Bledsoe Counties, as well as the Taft Juvenile Facility. In addition to financial assistance, PPC is included in our “Barrel Ministry.” In May, we participate in the “Baby Bottle Campaign” to provide individuals with an opportunity to donate further funds. An ultra-sound machine is now operational and assisting clients in a delicate decision.

SALT AND LIGHT MOVEMENT

The purpose of the Salt and Light Movement is to share our resources with elementary school children who are often excluded or isolated from school activities because of poverty. Funds are directed to the teachers to disperse as they see the need.

SECOND HARVEST

For every dollar that Second Harvest receives 3 meals are provided for to the hungry in East Tennessee. More people than ever are seeking help from local church pantries, group homes, soup kitchens and shelters. These organizations turn to second Harvest for the food they need to serve the largely working poor hungry of East Tennessee.

SEMINARY STUDENT

A monetary gift is given yearly to a selected needy seminary student as part of the Seminary Partnership Program at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina. 

SERVICE SUNDAY

Service Sunday is a day ELCA has declared Service Day. We have packed meals, made blankets, planted flowers at a mission, worked on homes and hosted a trash and treasure sale with proceeds going to a local mission.

SPECIAL NEEDS & EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

When emergency situations such as disasters or extreme hunger arise during the year, funds may be collected and designated for relief. This is usually done through ELCA Global Mission Support programs such as Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA World Hunger or Lutheran World Relief. Also, funds may be raised for victims of local emergency situations such as tornado damage or fires.

T.A.D. (TEENS AGAINST DRUGS)

TAD is an after-school program aimed at providing young people with activities that are educational, fun, and safe. They have a wonderful facility that includes a basketball court, snack bar, big screen TV, and an educational area. The staff helps with school projects, educates on the dangers of drug, alcohol, and tobacco use, and provides programs to build self-esteem.

THANKSGIVING BASKETS

Service Team buys gift cards at a local grocery to give to needy elderly people. These cards may be used for one big Thanksgiving meal or for supplies to feed them for many days.

VISUALLY IMPAIRED SUPPORT GROUP OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY

The VIS Group has existed since 2006 and is passionate about their mission to improve the lives of the blind and visually impaired through education, communication, transportation, on-loan equipment, support group meetings and socializing. This all-volunteer organization works with city, county and state leadership, as well as local business leaders, and reaches a 14-county radius.

Updated 04/20/2023