Bethel Compassion Ministries Center

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Operation Community Care
1125 Frederick Pike
Littlestown, PA 17340
(717) 359-4075

Many years ago a member of this Fellowship had a vision of serving others by distributing food, clothing, cleaning supplies and housewares to individuals and families. In 1999 that vision became a reality when a volunteer team from Bethel held its first Outreach at the Gettysburg Recreation Park. From that very first Outreach, our volunteers caught the vision and the ministry has grown by leaps and bounds to what it is today. It went from a backyard, to the back of a few tractor trailers in the church parking lot, to the “Compassion Ministry Center” on Frederick Pike where it is housed today. The ministry has gone from a handful of volunteers to an army of God’s servants who have a desire to serve the Lord through serving others.

 

It is the desire of the leadership of this ministry to, not only meet the physical needs of people, but most importantly, the spiritual needs. Before every Outreach, they conduct a Bible Study where they share the Word of God to those individuals and families who have come to receive food. At the conclusion of every Bible Study there is a time of personal ministry and individual prayer where there have been wonderful healings.

 

Not only does the Compassion Ministry Center reach out to individuals and families, but they also make large donations to other ministries and churches who, in turn, serve others in their network of compassion ministries. The leadership of the Compassion Ministry believes that as we sow product into other ministries the Lord will continue to bless our ministry to others.

 

When individuals and families arrive at the Outreaches to receive, they are not looked down upon or treated like second-class citizens. It is the desire of the leadership and volunteers that every person be treated as a very special guest.  Everyone is greeted with a smile and a word of encouragement and are not looked down upon because of age, race, physical appearance, or spiritual condition.

 

One of the greatest highlights of this ministry is the yearly “Christmas Outreach” which takes place on a Saturday in December in the gymnasium, the hallways and some of the classrooms. Because this Outreach involves brand new Christmas gifts for children and teens, it is by invitation only. We serve hundreds of families throughout Littlestown and the surrounding communities. It literally takes an army (hundreds) of volunteers on the Friday before to set-up and at the Outreach on Saturday to pull this event together. There is also a “Holiday Outreach” in November for the senior citizens where we bless them with food and other items for the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. This is also by invitation only.

 

These Outreaches are more of a blessing to those who volunteer and serve than they are to those who come to receive. What a joy it is to see the faces of the senior saints and families who wonder why we would do this and ask for nothing in return. The Lord is so good! If you are a part of the Bethel Family, we would strongly encourage you to sign up to get involved in these Outreaches - we need your help!

 

The Compassion Ministry Center is open for individuals and families to receive food on the following days and times:

 

Mondays -       5:00 PM until ? (latest time you can register is 7:00 PM)

Wednesdays -  9:00  AM - 12:00 Noon

1st Friday of the month - Senior Citizens Day (those who can drive)

3rd Friday of the month - Senior Citizens (who come on buses)