Finding Your Place to Serve: Christian’s Place Mission

March 28, 2018

Mission Makers

Brought to you by: Community Partner Tom Douglass, TomDouglassRealtor.com

<em>Since its beginnings in December 2008, Christian’s Place Mission has served nearly 31,000 people in the Nauvoo area. Join volunteers in helping every third Saturday of the month.</em> — *Since its beginnings in December 2008, Christian’s Place Mission has served nearly 31,000 people in the Nauvoo area. Join volunteers in helping every third Saturday of the month.*

“Christian’s Place Mission (CPM) is an organization founded on God’s love and hopes to teach everyone to fish,” explains Tom Douglass, a long-time volunteer of the non-profit ministry based in Nauvoo, Ala. Most of the residents in the rural Winston/Walker County live well below the poverty line and are at least a 20-minute drive from schools and healthy food options. Of the minority of residents that own a vehicle, the majority don’t have the money for gas. In 2008, Carole Newman came to the area to play the piano at Nauvoo United Methodist Church(UMC) and left with a heavy heart for the people of the community. The ministry began when she decided to feed a family of five. “I can’t tell you how many miracles I have seen since then,” says Newman who writes grants and coordinates volunteers and still plays the piano at the church!

Every third Saturday morning of the month, CPM volunteers converge upon Nauvoo UMC to give out food and clothing to about 450 people and get to know them. The ministry also offers medical services like eye and dental care. One of the volunteers described his Saturday experience this way. “The Holy Spirit was alive and well in that place.” Douglass adds how his desire to find a place to serve led him to CPM. “I was in search of something and no matter what I tried, it just didn’t seem to be the right fit. Then one day I was introduced to CPM. I was volunteering with friends from Sunday School. Finally, it appeared that all my experiences and skills I’d accumulated appeared to be of use. That was a few years ago; and still it’s the same. I am blessed more by helping others than they are by my helping; it’s humbling.” Douglass and other volunteers are spearheading a building project to provide a better facility to house food and clothing items and offer educational opportunities.

To learn more about CPM visit www.christiansplacemission.com, find them on Facebook @Christians Place Mission or call 205-410-7029. The ministry especially needs monetary donations and work/casual clothes. Another quick, easy way you can help is www.smile.amazon.com. Amazon donates .5% of the price of eligible Amazon Smile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. Search and choose “Christian’s Place Mission.”

-Brought to you by: Community Partner, Tom Douglass, Brik Realty, Realtor