Community Assistance Program

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Community Assistance Program

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Dear CityPoint Family,  As some of you probably have heard, Shalom Church, the Congolese church we share the Urban Height Church building with, is in need of education and homework help for their students. Their parents have a hard time navigating online school and homework assignments because of the language barrier, besides the struggle of managing childcare when students aren't at school that all of us are feeling right now.  The last couple of weeks CityPoint leadership and I have been praying and doing lots of my own homework to figure out what we can do to rise to the occasion to meet this immediate need. We have some resources and the Urban Heights building available to use, so we have been planning  different ways that we can serve the Congolese families during this unusual school year. It's our hope and prayer that it can go beyond the pandemic school year and turn this into something we can continue to do to serve our neighbors and others in need, as education assistance is always needed. It would be a good addition to our Bible Club ministry to find ways to meet the practical needs of families and students in helping with digital schooling while also teaching the Bible and sharing the Gospel with them.  The current plan to meet the initial the needs of our Congolese brothers and sisters and those in their community, is to create a homework co-op and education tutoring system. The idea is to have time slots throughout the day that we can staff with volunteer tutors to help students navigate their online homework and answer questions. Students can sign up for a tutor session slot, and hang out working on homework when they aren't in their tutor session.  Obviously this is a huge need and it's something that needs significant effort to address. We've been praying about it is and my family and  I are fully jumping into this work, which would allow me to dedicate my time to facilitating this ministry and getting it off the ground, as well as being more available to assist in other ministry needs at CityPoint, such as Keeva and I investing more time in worship ministry. As far as support for me and my family, we are going into this with the hope of being fully supported by fund raising for ourselves and the ministry, so I am leaving my current job and trusting that the One who gave the vision for this ministry will give it the provision as well. It's a big thing to jump into, but if God is opening this door for CityPoint and for my family, we have faith that He will provide and He will surprise us with what He wants to do with this opportunity now, and whatever He wants to do with it in the future as the CityPoint family seeks to serve our city and neighborhoods well.  Our hope is two sided: we want to meet the needs of those God has sovereignly put in our circle of influence, and of course we ultimately want to see students and their families come to faith. Some of the Congolese students are a part of the Shalom church, but of course there are others who are not, and we have the opportunity to be partners with Shalom to meet their needs while partnering with them to be a Gospel witness and influence in the lives of those families we'll be serving.  [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][gem_quote]Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17 [/gem_quote][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]There are a lot of needs that have to be addressed. We've done a lot of planning and making connections and are continuing to outline what everything requires to get it done well. But I want to also make you aware of the needs and areas of consideration we are having to address. Some of them require people to help, some needs require us to acquire items, some require us to raise funds, and all of them need prayer. The good news is we are not alone, if God is giving us this opportunity, He'll make it work out. But also this is not our burden alone to carry, as I'm already reaching out to lots of other ministries and organizations for extra hands and assistance.  It's my prayer that God uses us to be a blessing and help to those in need during this time, and that He uses this to grow the CityPoint ministry to the next level as well.  [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Immediate Needs

• Computers
• Internet upgrade
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Partitions
• Cleaning Supplies
• Office/School supplies
• Health Checks
• Volunteer tutors
• Volunteers - administrative/management tasks

 If you have ideas, resources to donate, connections to pass along, or want to jump in and help where you can, please contact me, I'd love to hear from you.   Matthew O'Mealey918-231-5761gix.mto@gmail.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]