While MCC sends Mission Teams to national and international mission fields, we also do quite a bit of mission work in our own community, staying local and serving in our own city and neighborhoods.
In His Great Commandment, Jesus teaches each of us “Love your neighbor as yourself” .
Please investigate these opportunities to serve in our local Cincinnati community.
Changing Over the Rhine One Life at a Time: God Works Through People
God produces unmistakable changes in the lives of people many times simply by using other people as His vehicle. Simply put, God uses people to change the lives of other people.
We see it when people share Christ with another peson and the person gives their life over to Jesus Christ. In Cincinnati's inner city, Over-the-Rhine, God is changing the hearts of people and making them into a new creation.
At MCC, we want to be a part of that. Ezekiel Ministries, led by Chuck Peckham and Ellen Tischler, is organizing an outreach which will involve bringing the gospel and food to needy people in Cincinnati. At The Lord’s Pantry in Over the Rhine we will take responsibility for The Pantry on several Saturdays each month. We will prepare and serve lunch, have a Bible teaching, pray and talk with all homeless and under resourced individuals who stop by.
We would love for you to join this outreach. Contact Ellen Tischler at 252-6347 / tischler.ed@pg.com, or Chuck Peckham: 587-0104 /cpeckham@mcc.us.
Did you know that you can make an eternal difference in the life of a child by mentoring and tutoring? One way to easily engage and make a difference is to join the Whiz Kids Tutoring Ministry. Once a week for one hour on Tuesday afternoons, you can help a youngster learn to read, and watch them blossom! Here are the words from a tutor that engaged with Whiz Kids for the first time last week: "I was surprised at how easy it was for me to engage. The school in Madisonville is easy to find (only 9 miles from MCC), the ministry is very organized, and I just plugged in. Right away I was helping a young girl with her reading skills; she was attentive and anxious to connect with me. An organized curriculum is in place, so I don't need to figure out how to interact with the student - it is all laid out for me".
In addition, here is a quick update from Whiz Kids: "Kindergartners are working on letter and number recognition, rhymes and sequencing. 1st graders are working on beginning word recognition, counting, rhymes and sequencing. Second graders are working on money and telling time. Upper grades (3, 4 and 5) can always use help with sight word recognition and fractions. Most of the children can use flash cards to help them learn math facts".
Whiz Kids has spread to dozens of schools and hundreds of volunteer tutors. The Faith Based initiatives leaders of the US Federal Government have taken notice and want to learn more. These are incremental, small victories in the lives of children. Would you consider serving alongside this growing ministry? Contact Chris at ccombs@mcc.us or 513.587.2433.
Right here in our local area, at John P. Parker Elementary School, the percentage of students reading below grade level exceeds 50%. We can shake our heads in disbelief, or we can help to make a change. For several years, folks like you from MCC have been tutoring a child and making a difference in their lives. The transformation is not only academic, but also relational and spiritual.
Whiz Kids, a Christian faith-based after-school tutoring program, exists to meet this challenge by providing tutors for students in grades K-5. One hour per week, students have the benefit of a one-on-one tutor helping them with reading and math. Training and materials are provided for tutors and students. Tutoring is currently provided on Tuesday afternoons at either 2:30pm or 4:00pm. This allows tutors to choose a time most convenient for them.
Statistics have shown that the two most important factors for children to escape a life of poverty are a good education, and relationships with caring adults. Whiz Kids strives to provide both.
John P. Parker Elementary School,
3500 Lumford Place, Cincinnati 45213
(Please note the school is in a different location this year.)
The written word. It has the power to teach, exhort, correct, encourage and entertain. In scripture it is so profound that Jesus calls Himself the Living Word. In Christendom one thing that we all have in common is a hunger for the Word.
Have you ever stopped to think about the countless thousands of Christians worldwide who have no access to Christian books? Small villages in developing countries with teachers and pastors who have perhaps one Bible and no teaching aids or resource materials.
Here at MCC we're working hard to share the abundance of Bibles and Christian materials we have with others throughout the world. By collecting used Bibles, hymnals, Christian periodicals and reference materials and repairing rips and tears, we send them overseas. This brings the light of Christ to many who otherwise would continue to live in darkness.
Consider this letter from a pastor in Nagaland, India:
Dear MCC:
Firstly, greetings to you in Jesus name. I’ve received the books in good condition. I thank you for your kindness and help. Through your help I’ve learned so much about God’s Kingdom and His miracle. I believe that the books will strengthen me and the Christians from our village more and more physically and spiritually to serve Him till the end of our lives. God bless you!...
It is just one of hundreds that we receive from Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, India and other developing countries , each month. As you might guess, it takes a small army of volunteers to keep this ministry going. We need you! Volunteer times are flexible and it is a great individual or small group activity. No special skills are needed. If you feel called to "share the Word with the world", please contact Polly Sedial at 922-0138 or rssps@fuse.net .
To read more about the unique ministry of The Used Book Depository click here.
Our mission is to strengthen families by serving those with pregnancy related concerns, promoting sexual abstinence for unmarried persons and caring for those who have experienced abortions.
We need your help at Pregnancy Care of Cincinnati!
Does your heart break for those in need?
Do you desire to offer others hope for their future?
Do you believe God has a purpose and plan for all He creates!
If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, then volunteering at Pregnancy Care of Cincinnati is the place for you! Volunteers are a critical to Pregnancy Care's ministry. A variety of volunteer opportunities are available, including positions in client education, data entry, computer support, abstinence education, special event planning, small group leadership, prayer support, 24-hour Help line, materials organization, and facilities maintenance, among others.
The first step is to call Debbie Jones at 961-7777. Join us for a tour of one of our sites and then be a part of our Basic Volunteer Training. If you are interested please call! www.pregnancycareofcincinnati.com
Have you ever been a friend to someone who is down and out? The STEP UP Prison Mentoring Program of Job’s Plus allows you to do just that. Several MCC members have participated in this ministry and have been remarkably blessed. By visiting and developing a trusting relationship with a prisoner in River City Correctional Institute in Cincinnati, you can share your faith, develop a lasting friendship, and help your mentee the develop goals which include Bible Study, employment goals, and staying on track once they are released into society. It may sound a bit scary, but, it is safe, well organized, and immensely rewarding as you are part of change in someone’s life.
A recent example involves a Christian Women, Pam, and her mentee, Carrie. Pam met with Carrie at River city each week for several months. Through Pam’s friendship and Carrie’s openness to God’s Word through weekly one on one Bible Study, Carrie received Christ. She was brought into an ongoing support group, became employed through Job’s Plus Employment Network, and developed a wonderful friendship with Pam that continues to this day.
In Matthew 25: 43 Jesus states “I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me. I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.” Won’t you look after someone in prison and help them on their way to recovery? Contact Chris Combs at 587-2433 or ccombs@mcc.us to learn about an upcoming mentoring training class.
The first Sunday of every month is Communion Sunday at MCC. It is also the Sunday when we collect canned goods and non-perishable items for our local food kitchens. We feel that this is a small way we can say "thanks" for all God's many blessings to us. Everyone is invited to participate in this ministry. We ask that you not bring anything in glass and that the food items are well before their expiration dates! Contact: Ann Barfels at: abarfels@cinci.rr.com
Hunger is unacceptable in our community. With your help, we can "bag" hunger. Download a list of needed items here.
• “My husband and marriage. I just don’t know. I’m a mess.”
• “Grief. My husband died and I miss him terribly.”
• “My daughter and I don’t get along. She doesn’t seem happy and won’t talk’”
• “I feel alone. I pray for healing and a friend who can help me. Maybe this is the answer to my prayers.”
• “I’m concerned about the way my son is treating me.”
Do any of these sound familiar? Are you there now and need someone to talk to? Have you been there and have a heart to use your experience to help others? At the Eve Center it is first an honor that women will come and share their stories with strangers. Yet, we so desperately need each other in a safe, confidential place. We are here for the good, bad and ugly part of her journey. We sit, cry, laugh, and most of all we listen. Listening with every fiber of the body, fully engaged. It is exhausting and rewarding.
The Eve Center, the Cincinnati branch of the Center for Women’s Ministries, provides free, faith-based support by women to women ages 13 and above striving to regain their emotional, mental and spiritual health. A 14-session basic training course to qualify to work as a peer support volunteer is offered twice a year at the Kenwood and Price Hill locations. Support groups and Bible Studies are offered on an ongoing basis.
There are many volunteer opportunities available at the Eve Center. If you are interested in this wonderful ministry, either as a volunteer or client, please contact Patti at 985-9959 or their web site at www.evecenter.org .
If you are interested in additional bridge building opportunities see the list below. Click on the email address or call to find out more.
Habitat for Humanity (local homebuilding)
Advance preparation is beginning on our 2008 Habitat build. Our partner family for 2008 is Tarah Banta, a single mother with a four year old son, Spencer.
See a photo story of what has happened after Bill Ashton and Bob Godfroid, two MCC members, organized the Sycamore Coalition of builders. A great example of the effectiveness of a coalition and the continued support of those churches in the coalition including Montgomery Community Church.
Whiz Kids: Tutor One Child, Change Two Lives
We feel that this is a small way we can say "thanks" for all God's many blessings to us. Everyone is invited to participate in this ministry. We ask that you not bring anything in glass and that the food items are well before their expiration dates! Contact: Ann Barfels at: 