Written by Amanda Coers – During the recent county budget planning for the 2017-’18 fiscal year, the commissioners slashed the county’s contribution to Good Samaritan Ministries down to $4,800. The ministry, which works to feed over 1,000 families in Brown County each month, had received $14,000 last year from the county. The cut was devastating news for GSM Director Leesa Stephens.

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Present during the commissioners’ court for the discussion regarding GSM’s funding was also North Lake Community Church Pastor Ron Keener. He urged the commissioners not to cut the county’s contribution to the ministry which actively worked to provide not only food, but also assistance with utility bills, and rent, for the county’s lowest income population.

His passionate words seemed to fall on deaf ears as the commissioners voted to approve the funding cut.

That same week during a Wednesday evening church service, the pastor encouraged congregants to pray for a way to help Good Samaritan Ministries.

“After church Gary Mercer came up to me and said he had an idea,” Pastor Keener explained during a check presentation at Good Samaritan Ministries on Thursday, December 14th.

Gary’s idea was to offer handmade ribbon crosses to the community in exchange for donations to GSM. The church quickly took action, making over 1,200 crosses by hand and set up a table outside of Walmart on November 4th to received donations.

GSM Director Leesa Stephens was touched by their desire to help, but did not initially expect enough funds to be raised to cover the staggering gap in their funding.

“Oh ye of little faith,” she laughed explaining her surprise at the amount raised in just one afternoon. Gary presented the first check, totaling $703.60.

In attendance for the check presentation were Pastor Keener and his wife Elaine, as well as church members Gary and Leah Mercer, and Russell and Linda Lemond, and Leesa Stephens and Heather Thomas with Good Samaritan Ministries.

“This is a part of our commitment from now until the end of 2018 to offset the funding gap that was created several months ago when the Brown County Commissioners made their decision to cut funding to this ministry,” said pastor Ron Keener. The church will be working to raise $5,000 over the next 13 months to go to Good Samaritan Ministries to be used in their direct aid program.

“When we’re here in December 2018 we’ll be able to say Little Is Much When God Is In It,” the pastor said, referencing a well-loved hymn the church regularly sings during services.

“We look forward to this partnership because we know God is going to do something amazing,” Stephens said as she thanked the church group.

Linda Lemond with North Lake Community Church heads up the ribbon cross project. She and her husband Russell hand cut each cross along with the amount of ribbon needed to complete the ornaments. Church members then hand-wove each one, praying over them and blessing the crosses that would be distributed. Linda learned how to make the ribbon crosses from her mother.

“She’s now gone,” Linda said. “Every cross I’ve been cutting out and making brings back memories of my mother. So that is a blessing.”

If you would like to help, you can contact North Lake Community Church, 3131 Harbor Dr, May, Texas 76857, by calling (325) 784-7482. 

You can learn more about Good Samaritan Ministries by visiting their website: goodsambwd.org