 |
Outreach is Oak Grove focus
By: Emily Benton, Reporter with Charlotte Observer
Food and fellowship
Oak Grove United Methodist Church members like food.
Most recently, the church on Old Statesville Road started selling $1 hot dogs every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Last week, they sold out with 180 hot dogs sold, with proceeds benefiting the church's building fund.
"What we're doing is attempting to build relationships by helping the needs of the people in the community," said pastor Patrick Welch.
He said one of those needs is food.
The church facilitates a monthly program called the Angel Food Box Ministry. It allows people of all incomes to purchase about $100 worth of food for $25. The bulk, which could feed a couple for a month, includes mostly frozen items such as chicken tenders, macaroni and cheese, and broccoli.
Welch said members sometimes buy Angel Food Boxes for families in need, and there is also a food bank at the church.
Another popular food program is the annual United Methodist Men's Barbecue Fundraiser each October. Member Glen Stephens opens his 40-foot grill at home and cooks about 3,000 pounds of pork with other volunteers for the event.
Crossing the language barrier
Oak Grove member Connie Bernal started an ESL (English as a Second Language) program for the community that meets 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays at the church.
About 45 people attend the free program to bridge the language gap between Spanish and English.
Welch talked with Bernal about how the church needed to adapt to Derita's changing community in order to thrive in the future.
He said Oak Grove has always been a neighborhood church, and in recent years those Derita neighbors have included more Latinos.
In addition to ESL classes, the church hosts La Feria Latina, a festival in the spring featuring Latino radio stations, dancers and vendors. The event also provides educational services regarding health and finances.
A few from Latino ministries have made their way into Sunday services, although Welch said the process will take time and he does not have a translator. But, on occasion, he does write a sermon in Spanish.
Famous face
NASCAR fans might recognize Oak Grove UMC member Jeff Hammond, who hosts a regular racing television show on Fox and writes commentary for FoxSports.com.
Welch said several other members work at the tracks, although the church is yet to start a race car ministry.
The core message
Welch, a nationally certified counselor, has an interest in medical education and sits on panels for such companies as Cigna health care.
On March 3, the church will host Lifeline Screening, a company that provides medical testing. Participants can pay about $100 for the company to screen them for stroke risk, damaged organs or artery diseases.
Welch said the program is another service that the church sees as a valuable resource to the community.
But he also said that behind all the ministries, there is one core belief Oak Grove UMC advocates.
"I have a deep commitment to presenting the gospel message, that's what I'm doing here," he said. "I'm not about food, I'm not about medicine or any particular race of people. I'm here to bring Jesus to people, that's the goal. But whatever we can do to facilitate peoples' needs, we will try to do."
|
|
Oak Grove United Methodist Church
6440 Old Statesville Road
Charlotte, NC 28269
(704) 596-4084
|
print page