Chattahoochee Association lends helping hand

People are hurting. The needs are great. Sometimes the lines of the homeless and disadvantaged are long at the food bank at the Chattahoochee Associ-ation complex in Gaines-ville, but those who come are not disappointed. They receive food and a presentation of the gospel and have the opportunity to be a part of a church that has been organized just for them.

Gerald Harris

Rick Forbes, right, director of missions for Chattahoochee Association, listens to volunteer Larry Reed as he reflects upon the successful work of Good Samaritan Ministries.

Rick Forbus, former minister of music at First Baptist, Snellville, and director of missions in the Chattahoochee Association since March of last year, didn’t start the food-furniture ministry in Gainesville, but it has already reached new heights under his inspired leadership.

Forbus, working in concert with Mike Walston, Church and Community Missions director for the Association, reports that more than 10,000 people came through their doors for food and furniture in 2003.

Although this ministry was started more than 20 years ago out of a small building located behind the old Associational office on Enota Street, it has flourished in recent years.

Eleven years ago when the Association purchased new land and relocated its headquarters to 1220 McEver Road Extension, the ministry began to grow. A large metal building behind the facility became an ideal distribution place for what has become known as Good Samaritan Ministries, which boomed under the leadership of the Association’s Church and Community Missions Director, Ronnie Wales, who served in that position until December of 2002, when Walston assumed those responsibilities.

Good Samaritan Ministries utilizes the services of more than 150 volunteers from about 40 of the 70 churches that comprise the Association. Larry Reed, a member of Pinecrest Church, helps with the ministry from 2 to 3 days each week and says, “It is a great ministry and very satisfying to know that you are involved in helping those in need.”

A nutritionist helps develop the food boxes so that they provide healthy, nourishing meals for the recipients. Reed estimates that the average box would cost anywhere from $50–$90 if the contents were purchased from a grocery store.

Walston remarked, “When I started working with the Association I was delighted with the fact that many people were having their physical and material needs met, but those we were winning to the Lord were not being assimilated into our churches. I shared my concern with Dr. Forbus, and the Lord led us to starting a church right here on our campus. We held our first service in November of last year and have maintained an average attendance of 41 persons. In addition, two precious souls have come to faith in Christ.”

Forbus has indicated that the Georgia Baptist Convention has offered the Association the use of a modular unit as a meeting place for the church. Shuford Jones, with the GBC New Church Development Department, has confirmed that the modular unit will be delivered to the Association within the next few weeks.

Walston says, “The sky is the limit for this ministry. There are so many willing volunteers and if I can effectively tap into that willing personnel resource we can do so much more than we are able to do presently. In fact, we would like to become involved in missions endeavors beyond our city in order to broaden our scope of ministry.”

This ministry of the Chattahoochee Association has provided help and hope for many people. Walston reports, “A man by the name of Ralph came by one day about 5 months ago. He had an incurable eye disease and looked much older than his actual age of 42. I had the privilege of sharing Christ with him and he readily received Christ. He now comes by regularly for spiritual encouragement and food.”

Walston continued, “Christina, a middle aged woman from Mexico, has been in the United States for about 10 years. She is married and has 5 children. She came to know the Lord through our ministry and now comes as often as possible to help us translate and witness to the many Latinos we serve each day.”

Forbus adds, “There are numerous stories of how lives have been changed forever as a result of this ministry.”

One frequent visitor to the Good Samaritan Ministries says, “I feel truly welcome here and these people obviously have the love of God in their hearts. They have shown their love through giving to me and so many others.”