Local church reaches out
Published 12:59 am Friday, November 20, 2009
SELMA — Joyce England-Peeples, pastor of St. Paul C.M.E Church, would look out the windows of the church and see people sitting on from porches with no motivation at all of coming to the church.
“I just know that these people need to be reached with some good news,” England-Peeples said.
Members of her church have been praying and studying scriptures about evangelism for months, “and we’re gong to put it in practice,” England-Peeples said. “I believe if we can reach these people there will be a turning point in our community.”
The church is hosting a celebration of “Unity in our Community” from Nov. 22-29 in hopes of bringing the Gospel to the lives of those in the neighborhood.
“The one thing I realized if that is in order to see your life revitalized, you have to see the scriptures first,” England-Peeples said.
The Rev. Eddie Marzett of Hopewell C.M.E. Church in Monroeville will deliver a sermon at the dedication ceremony on Nov. 22 at 3 p.m.
“We will dedicate our steps to the work that we do to God on Sunday,” England-Peeples said. “It’s going to be a sacred program.”
The Rev. David Perry will speak at the community revivals on Nov. 23-25 at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, church members will pass out pamphlets, Bibles and offer hot dogs and beverages to the community.
Fellowship at the Four Season Tea Musical on Sunday, Nov. 29, will wrap up the event.
“It is to have time to thank the people who helped us and honor God’s soldiers,” England-Peeples said. “And we’ll just praise God.”
People are in survival mode, just trying to live through today, and “a lot of times that doesn’t involve faith,” England-Peeples said. Faith is the cornerstone of what England-Peeples believes can bring hope back into a person’s life.
From this celebration, England-Peeples wants people to become more involved with the church.
“This is a haven where you can go and find refuge, where people care about you, embrace you, love you and try to be there,” England-Peeples said. “It will all be to help people be whole, to be complete.”