SHARING GOD'S LOVE IN PRACTICAL WAYS
Pioneer Church is dedicated to reaching out to others in need. Local, national, and worldwide mission projects have always been a priority here at Pioneer. Listed below are some of the ways that we are currently reaching out to others.
Operation Christmas Child Shoe Boxes
For several years Pioneer Church has prepared gift filled shoe boxes for Samaritan’s Purse, a Billy Graham ministry. The boxes are used to spread the “Good News” to children around the world in times of disaster, in war ravaged countries, and to third world destinations experiencing wide spread hunger. Individuals pack the boxes with candy, toys, and hygiene products. The boxes are then collected and sent to Charlotte, NC where they are then inspected for inappropriate items and then flown on cargo planes around the world. A booklet telling the gospel story of Jesus Christ in the language of each country where the boxes are distributed, is inserted by Samaritan’s Purse volunteers. Over 8 million boxes were collected in 2005.
The Pioneer congregation reaches out “to the least of these” by sending aid to the Balgo Zaoce School in Burkina Faso. Burkina Faso is known as the poorest country in the world and is located in western Africa. With droughts and famine a common part of life, the children have little interest in long hours of learning when their tummies are empty. Thus far, 13 boxes of clothes, candy, toys, seeds and school supplies have been sent to this school of 210 students and its three teachers. God has protected these boxes and all have arrived safely. We are looking for new ways to benefit the people of Burkina Faso and our work is just beginning.
Sometimes it is amazing where God will lead us. The African school mission came to Pioneer through the shoe box mission. One of our boxes was received by a student at the Balgo Zaoce School. His teacher helped him to write a thank you note in English to the sender. The teacher also wrote a note. Thus, a relationship began between Burkina Faso and Pioneer Church. Check out our Africa Mission Page.
Members or our congregation visit the Arcadia Nursing Home in Coolville, Ohio each month. We spend time singing, visiting, and bringing the message of Christ's love those that many have forgotten. Usually a snack is provided. On special occasions we will have pet night, when the members of the congregation bring their pets along for the visit. The residents at Arcadia especially enjoy visiting with the animals. After our visits, most Pioneers will agree that we were the ones blessed by the visit.
Belpre Area Ministries (BAM) is an organization of several local churches providing assistance to those in the area. Services include a food bank, providing special meals and gifts for families during the holidays, helping with utility and medical bills, and other various needs. Pioneer Church participates by providing food, money, and volunteers to help staff the phones.
This organization provides shelter and protection to women and children of domestic violence. Hygiene products such as soap and toothbrushes are collected by Pioneer members throughout the year to help defray housing costs. Special projects such as linen drives and Easter baskets are in addition to ongoing collections.