Local Missions
Athens Thrift Store
The Athens Thrift Store is a not-for-profit retail store that uses the money earned from the sale of donated item to fund many benevolence ministries. Donations are welcome and daily volunteers are needed. To learn more, please call 903-675-3160 during store hours of 9-5 Monday-Friday and 9-3 on Saturdays. Visit on the web at: www.athensthriftstore.com or contact by email at info@athensthriftstore.com
Disciples Clinic
This is a reduced fee based medical clinic in our community that welcomes people with no insurance. For a small fee they can receive medical and dental care, prescribed medications and can be referred for special treatment. Area doctors and nurses volunteer their time to staff the clinic but other volunteers are needed. To learn more about becoming a volunteer call 1- 800-918-5670 or go online at www.disciplesclinic.org
Children's Clothing Ministry
Helping Hands – Children’s Clothes Ministry The Children’s Clothes Closet was established in 1999 by FBC church members with a passion for providing clothing for needy children from birth to 6th grade in Athens and Henderson County. The Children’s Clothes Closet is located at 402 East College Street (the Greenhouse) right across College Street from the church. The ministry accepts good, clean, used children’s clothes. Volunteers sort the clothes and arrange them for display. Area families with needs bring their children to be fitted. Each child also receives two pairs of new socks and underwear at each visit. Families can return every three months to receive clothes. Records are maintained on each child receiving clothes at each visit.
Two years ago the ministry expanded to include school uniforms for all students of AISD, grades 1-12. At the end of the spring semester each campus has a uniform drive to collect uniforms that students have out grown. FBCA volunteers sort and organize these donations and two days in August are set aside as distributions days. Over 700 students are expected to receive uniforms, new socks, new underwear and a voucher for new shoes.
The ministry functions independently but cooperates with the Henderson County Help Center, Crisis Center, Family Peace Project, Public Schools and other local organizations in meeting the needs of children. A referral from other organizations is not necessary and no review of family finances is conducted in order to receive clothes. If you would like to learn more about the Helping Hands Children’s Clothes Ministry call Minna Jane Odom at 903/677-8602.
Furniture Ministry
No One Sleeps on the Floor” is the motto of the Furniture Ministry. In 1999 this ministry was started through the generosity of a local realtor who contributed all of the furniture left in the houses he had either sold or rented and provided a building to serve as the furniture warehouse. The Furniture Ministry has helped hundreds of families in Henderson County, but the needs are ever increasing. Through the contributions of our church family, the furniture warehouse is constantly being re-supplied with donations from their homes. The Furniture Ministry is organized to work through the local Help Center that interviews people to see if furniture or household items are what they need. We also work with the Family Peace Project, Athens Crisis Center and the Henderson County Emergency Service to be guided to families in crisis. Volunteers are urged to participate in this worthy project. Helpers are needed to fill vouchers, load vehicles, and to keep the linen/kitchen room orderly.
Hospital Visitation
Your time is greatly needed at our local hospital, ETMC Athens, Texas. We strive to have visitors at the hospital every day of the month and all it takes is you volunteering about five minutes of your day one day a month. The members of our church need to know that we still care about them and are thinking of them in their time of need. We still need six individuals to volunteer their time once a month to make sure that our schedule is full.
Please contact Hattie Graham for more information. (903)-675-5135 ext:100