This month I want to you to enter with me the Resource Center and catch a glimpse of the vision that we are seeking to implement in just a few short weeks now.  You have given sacrificially by faith.  Now let’s see what reality has produced as a means of that faith.  As James stated: “… I will show you my faith by what I do.”  

Having said that, let’s now “enter the resource center” as is presented to us by Chief Deacon Lucien C. Blackwell.  Deacon Lucien, take it away.   The Mission of the Mega Church Resource Center exemplifies the spiritual heartbeat of the Man of God-Bishop Luther Blackwell-and the vision of Mega Church at large.

The actual mission statement was birthed through one of the church members while pursuing higher education in the academic realm:  “Creating a bridge between the church and the community by meeting the practical and spiritual needs of the hurt and wounded through service.” ~ Lavonda Fondren The Vision of the Resource Center, simply put, is to service the needs of both the external community (the W. 25^th/Scranton/Clark area) as well as the internal community (members of Mega Church). The near-term goal for the Resource Center is to deliver service to the community in three main areas: food distribution, clothing distribution and Government work supports enrollment.  Processes are currently being created to distribute food packages to those in need in an organized fashion. Due to capacity limitations with the re-constructed building for the Resource Center, The Diakonate is currently working on alternative resources to conduct a full-fledge feeding program for those who are without food (i.e. the homeless, displaced, etc.). The same processes are being created for clothing distribution.  

The main cog of the Resource Center will center on the Ohio Benefit Bank initiative (“OBB”). The Ohio Benefit Bank is a web-enabled, counselor-assisted program being implemented by The Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks and used by Mega Church, community groups and public agencies at sites across Ohio, in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.  Mega Church’s Resource Center will allow low and moderate-income Ohioans to file electronically their federal and state income tax returns, while simultaneously finding out their eligibility, and completing applications, for tax credits and benefits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, food stamps, child care subsidies, home energy assistance and children’s health care insurance. The OBB will also enable us to assist college-bound students with filling out the FAFSA for college. While the main focus of service will center on food distribution, clothing distribution and Government work supports enrollment near term, the long term vision of the Resource Center is far-reaching. 

The long term vision of the Resource Center is to be a one-stop shop for any type of social service need such as the following: 

Ø  Food Pantry

Ø  Clothing distribution

Ø  Work supports enrollment

Ø  Medical services- Healthcare screenings

Ø  Counseling services- academic, familial, addition, etc. 

In Laymen’s terms, the long term vision of the Resource Center is to have a practical solution to every sickness, disease, demon, spirit, sin and/or “issue” that is represented in the community. Every where Jesus turned, he had an answer to another’s problem. And just as Jesus “is” the answer in one being, we want the Spirit of God to work through the Resource Center and help us house all of the answers under one entity.  

Partnership is the key to the advancement of the vision of Mega Church as a whole. And the same theme rings true with the Mega Church Resource Center. The Diakonate has partnered and is still in the process of partnering with several local, state and federal agencies to assist us in making the Resource Center the hub of the community. Some of the civic partners with which we have established some form of partnership include, but are not limited to:  

Ø  United Way: First Call for Help

Ø  Love INC of Cuyahoga County

Ø  Dress for Success (Cleveland)

Ø  Local churches

Ø  The Cleveland Foodbank

Ø  The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

Ø  Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks (creator’s of the OBB initiative) 

In short, the Mega Church Resource Center is being built to make the heartbeat of Bishop Luther Blackwell and the Vision of Mega Church a reality. The services provided by the Resource Center will ensure the gap between the community and the church will be bridged. Thus allowing us (the church) to meet the spiritual and practical needs of the hurt and wounded through service.