Park Cities Presbyterian Church (PCA)

Urban ministry partners reflect on Beyond Ourselves 2010

By Christina Spruill

Published May 1, 2010 in Witness

We asked staff members of some of our urban ministry partners to give us their perspectives on Beyond Ourselves:

What is the greatest highlight you experienced during Beyond Ourselves?

Allen Stone, Union Gospel Mission:

It was wonderful to have someone help make sure the rooms are nice for the men and women. Much-needed help in the kitchen came just in time. It looked wonderful for the dedication service naming it the Herman Bulka Center.

Cindy Timmerman, Exodus Ministries:

We were again overwhelmed with the response for the Beyond Ourselves workday here at Exodus. It was one of the largest groups we have ever had to come for a workday. So many men, women, and even teenagers were here giving their time and energy to improve so many different areas of the ministry.

Pat Stephenson, Dallas Leadership Foundation:

Our highlight of the day was seeing PCPC members working alongside youth volunteer teams in three beautification projects in the neighborhood. It was wonderful seeing the completion of Mrs. Hattie Loving’s home after it was painted and beautiful flowers planted around her house. Mrs. Hattie lost her husband this fall and had been praying for the Lord to meet her needs, as she no longer has the strength to fix things. Mrs. Hattie is still in awe of the love her Father has for her and His provision.

Anita Odom Thomas, Young Life West Dallas:

A highlight was when Ellen Flowers explained to the kids why families come to Interfaith, and how Interfaith works to help these families become self sufficient, that there are other kids who have needs greater than their own—that Interfaith teaches these families how to fish and get away from expecting that everyone should give them a free meal.

Mona McCarty, West Dallas Community School:

One of the greatest highlights was to see everyone react to the school after it had received such a deep cleaning inside and out. This year the event was so well organized and so much was accomplished. From the washing of the school bus to the cleaning of the classroom to the beautiful flowers, each and every project blessed everyone in the school.

How did this day impact your ministry?

Allen: Beyond Ourselves allowed much-needed projects to be accomplished. It was wonderful for our residents to see firsthand that people really care for them and are willing to come out to make their lives better. Volunteers impacted their lives by their presence and by their tangible gift of service. This day showered the homeless with love and acceptance, reinforcing the point that they are valuable and worthy of love.

Cindy: This day gave us so much: improved safety for our residents, added beauty from God’s creation, more organized donations for better utilization, and a fully decorated apartment for a new resident. Wow! It’s amazing to see what can be done with an army of God’s saints from PCPC!

Pat: This day proved to empower the neighborhood to care for others around them. When a group comes to work alongside individuals in the community it testifies that the group truly cares about the people, and not just about doing good deeds. One of the greatest results is that everyone walks away with new friends and a joint love for the Lord.

What impact did this make in the community?

Anita: Our students saw that the world is bigger than West Dallas, and there are people with needs greater than their own. They got a bigger picture of God’s mercy and grace as well as tangible proof that they need to give back and that they really can make a difference in the lives of others. In addition, our students worked shoulder-to-shoulder with PCPC members who come and serve them during the year and were welcomed and treated as members of the same team. It helped to break down some of the students’ insecurities about working cross-culturally with others, as they saw they are loved by those they have been taught to fear.

Mona: At WDCS we talk about the order in God’s universe, that everything has a place and role in God’s plan, and that our duty is to care for what we are given. This day provided a great example to the students of taking care of everything we have. Parents often comment about how much cleaner our school is compared to others that they see. One of the students asked his teacher who cleaned the classroom. She told him that church members came and worked that weekend. The student raised his hand and asked, “Well should we go and help clean their church?” What a great tool to teach that we are here to help and serve one another.