Page 16 - Bethel Annual 2019 Report

Love Makes the Difference!
COMMUNITY OUTREACH

When, therefore,… an opportunity of
doing good, presents itself, the prudent
Christian will not deliberate, shall I
relieve this man or this woman? … No,
he rather considers it as a demand
made upon him by Christ himself, and
would be as much afraid to delay or
refuse payment in such case, as if he
saw his Lord and Savior coming to ask
it of him in person.
Bishop Richard Allen, Founder
African Methodist Episcopal Church

Reverend Dr. McAllister speaks at Greater Bethel
AME Church in Panama City, FL after Hurricane Mi-

The Bethel family is grateful to God for placing opportunities before
us, for equipping us, and for putting the desire within us to enrich
the spiritual, economic social, political and personal lives of others,
especially those who are faced with life challenges. We thank God
for the privilege to serve Him by serving others.

ethel reached out to storm ravaged Panama City, FL and surrounding counties after Hurricane
B Michael. Members responded swiftly and with compassion to Reverend Dr. McAllister’s
immediate and pressing appeals to put our 2018-2019 church theme, “Love Makes the Difference,” into
action. On Monday, November 5, 2018, Reverend Dr. McAllister, Associate Minister Michael Winstead, and
a band of supportive members loaded a U-Hall with cases of bottled water, nonperishable food items, toilet-
ries, paper goods, cleaning products, yard supplies, and other vital materials and equipment, donated by the
congregation, and drove to the Greater Bethel AME Church in Panama City to assist with church clean-up
and help members and other residents of the community. The day before, Greater Bethel’s pastor, the Rever-
end Charletta Robinson, provided the message on our “Love Makes the Difference Sunday” in which she
charged the Bethel family to be strong and rely on God’s grace during seasons of adversity. On Monday, she
was back home practicing what she preached. Before leaving Panama City, a delicious, hot meal was served
to members of the community. In addition, Bethel provided a monetary gift of $3,000.00 to Greater Bethel.
Material resources were also given to storm-damaged churches in Marianna and surrounding areas for their
use and distribution to the community. We thank God for Reverend Dr. McAllister, who reminds us not to
forget to do good and who faithfully provides the leadership to ACT in obedience to Jesus’ command to
bear one another’s burdens. Thanks, also, to the generous outpouring of love and support from the
congregation that made this mission endeavor possible.

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