Compassion By Design

The two day event in Monroe, GA began early in the afternoon with a welcome by David Mills and an introduction to the heart of Angel Food Ministries (AFM) by the organization’s founder, Pastor Joe Wingo of Emmanuel Praise Church. The participants were also introduced to the event’s guest speakers, Elizabeth Kearny and Kate Gordon.

Elizabeth Kearny spoke on the possible connections between the ministry Angel Food provides and the service WorkNet Solutions offers. According to their website, WorkNet seeks to help “candidates find a sense of purpose, and begin a career which allows them to be involved in what God created them to do.” Potentially those who host AFM sites could refer participants to WorkNet with the hope of employment.

Kate Gordon oversees a networking system in Pittsburgh, PA called Network of Hope. Her business’s responsibility is to connect needs with people who can meet those needs in an effort to holistically care for the community.

The best ministry, according to Rural Compassion Founder Steve Donaldson, is one which treats its participants as guests of honor, with dignity and respect, and even a level of friendship. This also requires that the hosts be willing to share their lives with the AFM recipients.

Host site directors traveled from as far away as Kansas, Connecticut and Michigan to learn more about how to expand their ministry with AFM. However, the information’s practicality allowed those uninvolved with AFM to leave with changed.

Larry Pierce, one attendee who is not an AFM host still enjoyed what Kearny, Gordon and Donaldson shared from their wisdom. Pierce especially enjoyed David’s devotional on Wednesday morning which addressed our perception of those we serve.

Compassion by Design founder David Mills also spoke on Wednesday morning to explain the benefits of completing a needs assessment. The ultimate goal is to not waste time on needs that are not there or to miss needs that are present in the community.

Tuesday’s activities included a special tour of the AFM facilities led by warehouse manager Todd Biggs. Bootcamp participants also enjoyed a Southern-style barbeque held outside the AFM campus.

Although the event officially ended at 4:45 on Wednesday evening, Participants also had the option of helping with the food distribution after attending the Wednesday evening service at Emmanuel Praise.

Ultimately, the two days spent in Monroe, GA at the Angel Food Ministries Headquarters were well worth the participants time and money. The conference provided an opportunity for hosts to connect with one another and benefit from the wisdom of other leaders from around the nation.

For more information about any of the organizations above, please contact Natalie Lozano: Natalie@noprofit-expressions.com. Special thanks to Larry Pierce for his provision of facts from the trip.

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