Visitation
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." - James 1:27
The ministry of preaching and teaching must always be accompanied by the ministry of caring. The weekly prayer bulletin of Calvary Baptist Church is a constant reminder that sickness, suffering and death will always be issues which demand our attention. The Calvary Home Department currently consists of 28 persons under the spiritual care of our Deaconesses. Thanks to our Deaconesses under the leadership of Mary Olson. Their vigilance in prayer as well as calling and writing to these suffering saints plays a vital role.
In addition, the Fellowship Fund has been the Lord's instrument to alleviate financial difficulties within this fellowship and outside of Calvary Baptist Church under the guidance of our Board of Elders. In the area of discretionary assistance in which Elder authorization is not required there were 133 gifts totaling $15,393.00. The areas which required Elder approval were as follows:
- Housing - There were 25 cases at a cost of $23,693.00.
- Counseling - The Fund paid for 96 hours of counseling which cost $3,850.00. This does not include the counseling provided by Pastor Ryan Edlind. Thanks for the ministries of Eleanor Henderson and Dr. James Chin.
- Four general situations required $2,266.00.
- Hurricane Ivan devastated the Caribbean and Southern Florida. The Calvary family responded with $20,000.00 for this crisis. Money was allocated by the Benevolence Committee of the Elder Board in this manner: Grenada - $8,000.00. Bahamas - $5,000.00. Haiti - $5,000.00. Alma Harewood - $1,000.00 and Ruth Jones - $1,000.00. Thanks to everyone who gave to make this possible.
- The tsunami monies totaling $18,957 will be distributed through the ministries of World Vision.
Angel Tree - This year there was an experiment with Angel Tree by holding the party at Church of the Resurrection, 325 East 101 Street in Spanish Harlem. To our surprise the response was not much different from the response at Calvary. Nevertheless, under the leadership of Margaret Lezama home deliveries were made. Only 12 gifts were not delivered.
In addition, it continues to be a privilege, challenge and blessing to teach the membership classes as well as guiding the Nominating Committee in the process of recruiting persons for the Official Life. It is also a challenge to work with the Elder Board, the Pastoral Staff and the Council of Missions. Thanks to the chairs of both Elder and Deacon Board, the senior pastor and the outgoing chair of the Council of Missions for the privilege of doing Kingdom business together.
Thanks again to Elizabeth, my wife, for understanding the time constraints of the ministry. Thanks to all the saints for your prayers and words of encouragements.
Winston Griffith
Pastor of Visitation and Missions
