Meeting Needs
Ministry Spotlight: Christian Activity Center and Sin Fronteras
fbmmissions aims to provide relief, allocate resources, and, ultimately, foster the development of underprivileged communities.
For over a decade, the CAC has been dedicated to a summer food program, which has now become a cherished tradition. Furthermore, the eight-week summer program, running in June and July, offers children not only nourishment but also an array of engaging activities, joyful music, and a unique feature known as "Bible Stories on a Blanket," a concept that has evolved over the years.
In light of these remarkable initiatives, there are several avenues for community members to offer their assistance, including volunteering as tutors, aiding with food distribution, and participating in the summer program.
In addition to the CAC, another commendable ministry that tends to the community's needs is Sin Fronteras, meaning "without borders." Founded by Rachel Theolous in 2020, this ministry was born out of her work with the CAC during the pandemic when she observed an unmet need among mothers in Fairmont City. Initially, she was distributing lunches, but she extended her support by providing essentials like diapers, strollers, wipes, and baby clothes as a means to establish meaningful connections with these mothers.
"When I come home from volunteering at the lunch program, I feel so blessed. The smiles on the kids' faces and the appreciation from everyone always touches my heart."
- Judy Steele, CAC Summer Lunch Program Volunteer
When Pat Marsh embarked on her volunteering journey in Fairmont City back in 2009, she quickly recognized a pressing need within the community. The issue at hand was the significant language barrier faced by local students and their families, resulting in alarmingly low graduation rates and instances of students being forced out of school. In response to this critical situation, Pat took the initiative to establish the Fairmont City Christian Activity Center (CAC).
Within just three years, the CAC achieved remarkable results by boosting the graduation rate from 50% to 85%.
Fast forward to the present day, the CAC continues to thrive, making a lasting impact on the community. One of its crucial programs is a tutoring initiative that runs from September through May. Many of its former students have gone on to become engineers or pursue higher education, with some even returning to give back to the program. In addition to local contributions, different mission groups from various cities come to the CAC to offer their support.
Sin Fronteras has adopted a unique approach, using the provision of physical necessities for mothers as a means of sharing the gospel. Additionally, a group within this ministry assists mothers in improving their English language skills. This is achieved by initially conveying Bible stories in Spanish, followed by English practice and thoughtful discussions on the story's meaning.
To lend a helping hand and meet the needs of these mothers, you can contribute by donating diapers, wipes, or gently used baby items, assist in sorting donations, and offer support in caring for children while their mothers are engaged in English learning activities.
In the heart of Fairmont City, two incredible ministries, the Christian Activity Center and Sin Fronteras, shine as beacons of hope and compassion. Through their dedication to the community, they embody the teachings of Jesus by extending love, faith, and support to those in need. The CAC, with its mission to provide educational support and improve lives, and Sin Fronteras, which reaches out to mothers with kindness and the gospel, exemplify God's love in action. Together, they demonstrate the power of faith in action.