The economy has caused attendance to decline at most venues, but the effect of the economy has impacted attendance at churches in a positive way. Now more people are seeking God and assistance from churches.
Lifeway Research found that 50 percent of 1,000 pastors surveyed said the recession has brought “a greater sense of excitement about the opportunities to minister to the needy.”
Christ Church International (CCI) Growing in Grace Ministry is excited about moving into its new facility to better assist God’s people in need.
On Friday, June 5 at 7 p.m. Christ Church International Growing in Grace Ministry will celebrate “Thy Holy habitation,” the official opening of its new facility at 2915 Patterson Rd. in Florissant.
Christ Church International started in August 2006 as a 13-member Bible study in the home of Apostles Connell and Valerie Isaiah. By the end of the month, Christ Church International had its first official church service.
Apostles Connell and Valerie Isaiah were ordained Apostles on October 7, 2007, by Apostle Carol Mitchell of King’s Sanctuary and Outreach Ministry.
The mission for Christ Church International Growing in Grace Ministry has remained the same, which is to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ all around the world by faith.
The goal of Growing in Grace Ministry is to meet the need of all of God’s people. Valerie Isaiah said, “This ministry has God’s hand upon it and he directs and guides us on every decision.”
In addition to worship services, Christ Church International is actively involved with community ministry through services such as clothing ministry, employment ministry, financial prosperity ministry, a food pantry benefit service and prison ministry.
Christ Church International Growing in Grace clothing ministry provides clothing to local families and they also share donations with other ministries and local area non-profit organizations. They are accepting clothing donations on an ongoing basis.
As for the employment ministry, Christ Church International Growing in Grace Ministry will partner with other ministries to provide job opportunities in the near future. The ministry has been able to assist several individuals so far to find stable employment.
The ministry serves the community by offering financial literacy teaching. Isaiah teaches financial prosperity which is biblical principles about getting the wealth that has been promised according to the word of God. It includes how to clean up your credit report and improve your credit score.
In the fall of this year, Christ Church International Growing in Grace Ministry will have a food pantry benefit service, where they will ask the community to bring non-perishable food items to the worship service. Currently they offer limited food pantry services.
Another way CCI helps the community is through prison ministry. “We became involved in prison ministry because our goal is to meet the need of all of God’s people in need,” said Apostle Valerie Isaiah.
She said the church is doing a revival at the women’s prison in Vandalia, on June 20.
Isaiah said, “We are so excited about what GOD is doing in this ministry.”
For more information about the Christ Church International community ministries, call (314) 974-8015 or email cciggm@yahoo.com.