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Westminster Presbyterian Church in Charleston, South Carolina,
will use its share of the Pentecost Offering for the Hands of
Christ program, an outreach ministry of Westminster Presbyterian
Church and Zion-Olivet Presbyterian Church. The Hands of Christ
ministry distributes school clothing and basic school supplies
for children in need.
In July 2002, members of Westminster and Zion-Olivet traveled
to Austin, Texas, to participate in the Back to School Program
of Manos de Cristo (Hands of Christ). Having seen how God has
used the cooperative efforts of Presbyterians in Austin, we
have been led by the Spirit to offer a similar program here.
Though this program is designed to reach the children in our
community, we are finding that it is dramatically changing our
adults as well. African American and Caucasian churches are
working together to serve all children from economically deprived
families in the name of Jesus Christ.
While we were visiting one school, a kindergarten teacher told
us of her students immediate need for underwear. When one of
our volunteers arrived a few days later with a sackful, the
teacher began to weep and said, “Truly these are the Hands
of Christ.” When children in need arrive at the church,
they don’t have to go through red tape to get items they
need. All school-aged children receive two school outfits, two
pairs of underwear, two pairs of socks, and school supplies
in the name of Jesus Christ our Risen Lord.
Westminster Presbyterian Church
Zion-Olivet Presbyterian Church
Charleston, South Carolina
Tammy Brown
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