Mercy Ministries
Good Samaritan Ministry
Good Samaritan is a mercy ministry under the Diaconate’s stewardship designed to assist non-PCPC members facing temporary financial difficulties; it is overseen by the Good Samaritan Committee consisting of PCPC deacons and members.
Frequently families and individuals contact PCPC seeking temporary financial assistance. The Committee prefers to work with applicants referred to PCPC by Ministry Partners or members. The Committee reviews 6 – 10 applications most months. Not all are approved, but usually, more than half of the applicants qualify and receive assistance with rent, utilities, or other necessities.
Key components of the Good Samaritan Ministry are praying and sharing the gospel with applicants and interviewing them carefully to understand the applicants’ needs better. Details from the interview help the Committee determine if the applicant is approved for assistance and payment is made to vendors. Most of the work is done by telephone, but in some instances, committee members choose to meet with applicants in person.
Would you like to help? The Good Samaritan Ministry is a way you can be the hands and feet of Christ, reaching out to those in need. For more information or to volunteer for the Good Samaritan Committee, please contact Jessica Fikkert at jessica.fikkert@pcpc.org.
EQUIP Ministry
The EQUIP Ministry assists those in crisis by promoting self-sufficiency through faith-based mentoring. Applicants can be PCPC members but are typically non-members.
Each accepted applicant is assigned to a mentor and is expected to meet weekly for the first few months. The frequency of meetings is determined by the mentor and may be reduced to monthly. The typical EQUIP client commits to the program for 3-6 months.
Topics covered in the meetings include reviewing the client’s budget and recent expenses to help build financial literacy. Time is spent in prayer as well as spiritual development. Through the EQUIP Ministry, long-lasting relationships have been forged, and clients have stayed in contact with their mentors well beyond the program framework.
EQUIP Mentors Needed
There is a great need for more PCPC members to come alongside families who are facing difficult situations.
For more information contact EQUIP Coordinator, Linda Wells: 214-632-2088 or lwells2145@gmail.com.