For the past three years, I have been amazed at the compassion and generosity of our people as we have conducted our Christmas outreaches. As a church, we have been “God’s hands extended” to those in need, ministering to the needs of thousands. Through the years, we have ministered to widows, orphans, homeless, inner city, and those walking through rough patches in life.
I think this year’s outreach is aptly titled “Love is on the Move”. In I John 3:18, it says, “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth”. I believe this year, these words are more important than ever. This Christmas season we want to be God’s love in action as we affect the world with the love of Jesus through giving and random acts of kindness.
This year’s Christmas Outreach strategy is based on the words of Jesus before He ascended into Heaven. In Acts 1:8, He talks about being a witness to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the Earth. That scripture provides us with the basis for the four outreaches: Church, Community, Nation, and World. For those of you that want to give of your time and energy, we have also come up with many ways of serving this year. Find out more about these areas of service at the “Love is on the Move” booth in the mall.
We will begin the “Love is on the Move” Christmas Outreach offerings on November 28 & 29, and continue them for 3 weeks. Opportunities to serve during this Christmas season are already posted at the “Love is on the Move” booth in the mall. I know our people will catch this vision and become a part of moving the love of Jesus around the world.
~ Pastor Dennis Slavens
Below are details for all 4 outreaches
This outreach has been developed to take care of the expressed needs of the people that call Antioch Church home or are seeking assistance. Through this outreach we will target individuals that find themselves in a financial situation this Christmas, whether it was from layoffs, firings, sickness, or loss. We want to be a church that takes care of people spiritually, but that is also active in providing for the physical needs of people. The Word says “faith without works is dead”. This Christmas, we want people to see our faith in action this Christmas so those around them might come to know Jesus as Savior. We will provide for needs that so many of us take for granted; tires for a car, utility bills, mortgages or even food. Help us as we show Christ’s love in deeds and actions. None of this could be possible with our your generosity.
Serve Opportunities
If you are interested in supporting this year’s Antioch Outreach please place your gift in the designated ‘Love is on the Move’ offering during the weekend service or give online immediately by [clicking here]
Download a PDF of all this information
We are partnering with several local organizations to better reach our community this Christmas. We are providing Christmas for those in need through Angel Tree, TLC, Group Homes, KC Dream Center and Rosedale. Each of these organizations reaches children with a parent in prison, foster and orphan kids or inner-city children. We want to be a light in Kansas City, so we are partnering with area-wide nursing homes, homeless shelters and News Radio 980 KMBZ’s “Coats for Kids”.
Serve Opportunities
Below is a list of many SERVE opportunities though our Community Outreach program this year. As new opportunities are confirmed, they will be listed online and at the ‘Love is on the Move’ booth in the mall.
Nursing Homes – Christmas Caroling
Tuesday, December 1, meet at the church at 6pm to join Pastor Kevin and the music team for Christmas caroling at area nursing homes.
Gift Wrapping for Angel Tree, TLC, KC Dream Center and Group Homes
December 12 & 13 join us in the Fireside Chapel, following services to help wrap Christmas gifts.
Rosedale inner-city Christmas party for 250 kids
The party will be held Wednesday, December 16 at 7pm. Sign up at the Welcome Center is required to attend. Also, cookies are needed for this event. They can be brought to the church Monday, December 14 through Wednesday, December 16 between 9am & 5pm. Please sign up at the Welcome Center if you plan on attending.
“Coats for Kids” – Partnered with News Radio 980 KMBZ
We are a drop off site for Coats for Kids. There will be a box in the mall for kids coats from November 9 – December 11.
Coats for the homeless
Beginning November 28 there will be a clearly marked box in the mall for gently used coats, scarves, gloves, hats, warm shoes and boots for homeless.
Restart Mission – (Homeless Shelter)
Volunteer, as a LIfe Group, to prepare and/or serve meals for the homeless. Help is needed throughout the season. Contact your Life Group leader for more information.
- November 29th – dinner only
- December 5th – lunch and dinner
- December 6th – lunch and dinner
- December 19th – lunch and dinner
- December 20th – lunch and dinner
- December 26th – lunch and dinner
- December 27th – lunch and dinner
City Union Mission – season long SERVE opportunities:
For information on SERVING contact Tammy (volunteer coordinator) at 816-474-9380.
- November 30 – December 4 – Help decorate City Union Mission. Decor donations are needed.
- November 30 – December 17, Monday – Friday 9am – 4:30pm SERVE at the Christmas Store, where those in need can buy Christmas gifts.
- November 30 – December 17, 12:30pm to 4:30 pm SERVE in the Food Pantry
- December 15 – Wrap gifts for the children in the homeless shelter
Download a PDF of all this information
In an effort to reach out on a National level, we have chosen to support Military personnel who are currently serving in active duty overseas. Specifically, we will be focusing on the 858th Engineer Company. This company consists of approximately 200 men and women who are serving our country in Baghdad, Iraq. To provide a touch of home, we are sending boxes of homemade treats and thank you letters written from the hearts of the Antioch Church family.
Serve Opportunities
On December 5 and 6, we will be gathering items for this outreach in the Fireside Chapel before and after each service. This is your chance to get involved by bringing your best homemade treat, whether it be fudge, brownies or Christmas cookies! Deliver these goodies in small tins so they can be sent securly to our Troops. Please be mindful of the shipping process as cakes, pies and soft breads will not ship well unless in sturdy container.
On these dates, we will also be writing personal letters to these men and women encouraging them in their efforts.
If you are interested in giving towards the postage cost of this outreach please place your gift in the designated ‘Love is on the Move’ offering during the weekend service or give immediately online by visiting [clicking here]
Download a PDF of all this information
A worldwide statistic states that in the past 24 hours, 5,480 children have died from contaminated drinking water; which loving mothers and siblings obtained after walking long distances. This Christmas Season, we will be funding the building of 2 fresh water wells, which will provide clean water for thousands of people. By working with “Flowing Streams Ministry” and “Dominic Russo Ministries”, we will choose locations that will benefit fellow believers and provide an opportunity for outreach to the lost. This outreach will not only satisfy a physical need, but will also provide evidence of God’s love in action.
Serve Opportunities
If you are interested in supporting this World Outreach please place your gift in the designated ‘Love is on the Move’ offering during the weekend service or give online immediately by visiting [clicking here]
Download a PDF of all this information
Here is a montage of just a few of the lives that were effected through our 2008 Christmas Outreach “Heaven Came Down”!