LUFKIN, Texas (KTRE) – “Exhibit the love of Jesus towards everyone without any conditions. Our aim is to make people feel that they are loved by Jesus wherever they may be,” stated Alyssa Venegas, who is part of the Southside Baptist Church.
Several times each year, volunteers from the Southside Baptist Church in Lufkin prepare to provide necessary goods to individuals. This outreach program assists everyone who visits the church.
“We simply gather here to spread the love of God via the food and clothes that have been generously donated by the church,” explained Cesilio Venegas, who serves as the outreach minister.
Their community engagement activities include foods such as hamburgers and hot dogs. Individuals are invited to look through and pick up clothing, footwear, home goods, and toys for their personal use.
“Here’s a bag; do you want more? Take another bag. You now have three bags, so go ahead and fill up a fourth one,” Alyssa Venegas stated.
This particular instance was somewhat distinct.
It was their inaugural collaboration with Oak Leaf Apartments in Lufkin. Over the course of one year, their community engagement involved tours of various apartment complexes and mobile home parks. They mentioned that they aim to assist individuals whom they think would benefit from additional support.
Whenever there’s significant need—whether it involves people coping with depression, stress, or perhaps facing financial difficulties—we all encounter such challenges at some stage in our lives,” explained Cesilio Venegas. “During these times, what we require is someone who can step forward and extend their affection towards us.
“We embark on this journey as we are called by the Lord to do so. We will venture wherever there is a requirement, and needs abound everywhere,” Alyssa Venegas stated.
They aim to expand their offerings. He mentioned that they are instructing volunteers about what is necessary to organize a community outreach event.
“It could be a Saturday when our church operates across three or four distinct sites, but initially, we must lay down the groundwork,” Cesilio Venegas stated.
In addition to the complimentary offerings, they also feature a prayer area. This space includes Bibles and prayer cards available for anyone who wishes to utilize them.
“If they show interest in learning more, we will provide them with a Bible, pray for them, and share the Gospel with them. This embodies Christianity—sharing that love either through our words or deeds,” stated Cesilio Venegas.
The Southside Baptist Church aims to broaden its outreach following a year of collaborating with apartment buildings and mobile home parks to assist residents therein.
They provide meals, clothing, footwear, domestic goods, and toys for individuals to take home without cost. According to the church’s outreach minister Cesario Venegas, these gatherings occur bi-monthly, yet they aim to host them monthly instead.
That’s my aim—to host one at least monthly and simply rotate through different locations around town, recurring periodically,” Venegas stated. “I want to go anywhere and everywhere that the Lord provides an opportunity.
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