Faith-In-Action
Neighbors
Serving Neighbors
in Christ's Name
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What is Faith-In-Action? Faith-In-Action is a volunteer ministry of River Terrace Church through which we express Christ's love and concern to the people of the greater Lansing area. Faith-In-Action (FIA) carries out a variety of programs, in conjunction with other local organizations, to address the needs of the poor and elderly in this community. For the Hungry The Tri-County Office on Aging prepares meals for home delivery to elderly shut-ins. FIA volunteers work once a month with a partner to deliver the meals each noon hour, Monday through Friday. FIA has close to 100 volunteers covering 2 routes: one in the downtown area, another in East Lansing. Each November FIA volunteers deliver Thanksgiving food baskets to 70-80 homes. Volunteers buy groceries for a typical Thanksgiving meal and deliver them to a family that has been referred by Christian Services. Other volunteers occasionally bring groceries to families referred to us on an emergency basis during the year. FIA supports the hunger relief efforts of Bread for the World. Over the years River Terrace has supported the Ingham County Food Bank and has been a major contributor to the fundraising efforts of the Lansing area CROP Walk. For Families in Need This ministry of FIA addresses the needs of families struggling financially. We are the only ministry in the Lansing area that gives out baby cribs to those who are referred to us by Christian Services. We collect donated clothing which is brought to an inner city Detroit ministry called Community Assistance Program (CAP). River Terrace now hosts a new program developed by Christian Services called Quality Living. This program pairs volunteer mentors with families for budgeting or parenting classes that helps them towards financial independence and healthy families. For Better Housing FIA recruits and organizes volunteers from the church to work with Habitat for Humanity. Volunteers from River Terrace Church have completed several Habitat houses. FIA also supports the Greater Lansing Housing Coalition in helping low income families with their housing needs, whether it be a new home or restoration of an existing dwelling. To Resettle the Homeless and Refugees FIA has recently set up a volunteer team to work with Christian Services in "Project Home Again". This is an opportunity to work directly with a homeless family to help transition them into a long-term stable housing situation. FIA is actively concerned about the hardships of the poor around the world. When the need arises, we work with Refugee Services to help resettle refugees. River Terrace Church has resettled over thirty families refugees from many areas including Cuba, Vietnam, Laos, and Ruwanda. Church volunteers have donated furniture, money, clothing, and items for daily living. They have also worked directly with the refugees to acclimate them to our culture and society, and connect them to services available to help them succeed. To Help our Neighbors in Detroit The Community Assistance Program, in Detroit, is managed by Josephine Collins and her son. This ministry reaches out in love to the desperately needy citizens within that community. Our church has helped this program for years by taking van loads of clothing and food to them on a regular basis, and by financially and prayerfully supporting them. How Faith-In-Action Works The committee operates under the supervision of the deacons of River Terrace Church. All funds used to support the work of Faith-In-Action come through special offerings or donations. Any administrative costs are covered by the church and therefore all donations to FIA are used entirely in the ministry. The ministry of Faith-In-Action relies on people who, because of Christ's redeeming love, want to reach out in love to those who may need help to improve their lives. You too can be part of this service ministry and bring "a cup of cold water in Christ's name." For more information or to find out how you might become involved, contact the church office. River Terrace Church |