Jesus es El Senor (Cobden, IL)

Located amongst the peach and apple orchards of the small Southern Illinois village of Cobden, Jesus es El Senor is a congregation of the United Methodist Church that ministers to this mostly migrant hispanic community.

God has blessed them with 22 acres on which they have a multi-purpose building for Sunday worship services, a separate building called “Joe’s Mall” which serves as a food and clothing distribution center, and a building with 8 small apartments which they use for church activities, summer camp, and community emergency shelter.  There is also a playground, soccer field, and basketball court.

A congregation of 120-140 people, Jesus es El Senor has established cell groups in neighboring communities and has sent 7 families out to start new congregations in Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, and Kansas.

To learn more about this church’s ministries and mission, visit them on the web at www.jeesumc.org.

Urban Outreach (East St. Louis)

Urban Outreach in East St. Louis, IL is all about reaching people right where they are and making an impact in their community, through acts of love and kindness, with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  To date, they have planted one church and are getting ready to plant two more within the next year.

Christmas toy giveaways, Easter egg hunts, cook outs on street corners, and summer family cook out events are offered to residents of the community in an effort to demonstrate the love of Jesus. When it gets cold outside, volunteers distribute blankets, coats, hats, gloves, hygiene items, and food to the homeless. From 10:30 pm to 2:00 am on Friday nights, Urban Outreach pastors and ministry teams hit the streets to offer prayer, food, and hygiene bags to the homeless, addicted, hurting, and women working the corners in hopes of presenting the gospel in practical ways, with much love, hugs, and prayer.

Urban Outreach believes God can do the impossible, and they are committed to proclaiming that message of hope to those who have lost hope.  To read more about Urban Outreach, visit their website at www.uoesl.org.

First Fruits

First Fruits is a Christian rehabilitation and discipleship training center located in Jerseyville, IL.  It is one of 13 centers operated throughout the U.S. by Mission Teens ministries.  Mission Teens, Inc. is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to helping people with life-controlling problems such as drug addiction, alcoholism, and emotional problems by ministering the gospel of Jesus Christ to them. In accordance with their belief that the Gospel should be free to all, Mission Teens is a faith ministry.  They do not charge for their services nor receive any funding from the government. Staff members do not receive a salary, but work as missionaries.  To learn more about MissionTeens, visit www.missionteens.com.  To contact First Fruits in Jerseyville, call Director Jonathan Steele (618) 498-3560.

Arms of Love Ministries

Located in Godfrey, IL, Arms of Love is on a mission to minister as Jesus Christ would to women and families, providing care, support, and resources related to pregnancy and child rearing. Options NOW Women’s Resource Center is the name of their licensed medical facility, which is located at 4854 N. Alby Road.

An unplanned pregnancy can be a difficult situation to face alone.  Options NOW offers hope to expectant mothers through a wide range of services, resources, and caring support throughout and after pregnancy.  All services are free and confidential, and include pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, doctor’s exams, prenatal vitamins, maternity clothes, baby supplies, and counseling.  The center also offers an abortion recovery support group and free courses, which include: pregnancy, prenatal, childbirth, baby care, abstinence, abortion alternatives, and adoption education.

To find out more about Arms of Love ministries and how you can help, visit their website at armsofloveministries.com.

Bright Hope International

Bright Hope International is a unique ministry that focuses on the poorest of the world’s poor. BH only works in communities where people earn less than $1.00 per day and often goes where other organizations do not. Many of their partners operate in remote villages where there is nothing except Christian leaders who want to make a difference.

Faith Fellowship helps support three Bright Hope projects in the country of Uganda: Katosi, Busia Community Outreach, and Rev. Butch and Eagle’s Nest Ministries. You can read all about these missions on their website (www.brighthope.org). Bright Hope provides detailed descriptions of every project they support around the world. This is an excellent site. You will be amazed at the work that is going on, and you’ll discover that Bright Hope offers a variety of ways for you to get involved.

Because each of the communities they serve is uniquely different, Bright Hope works by partnering with indigenous local Christian leaders and churches who understand their community and are working to change lives in a holistic manner.

More than 84% of Bright Hope’s total income goes directly to the people they serve. BH constantly monitors programs and expenses to ensure best practices and high returns. They belong to the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) and abide by all of its strict accounting standards. Bright Hope holds a 4 star rating by Charity Navigator.

This is an outstanding organization, and Faith Fellowship is privileged to support their mission to bring hope, healing, and the love of Christ to the people of Uganda.

WIBI Family Friendly Radio (FM 91.1)

Family Friendly Radio is a non-commercial, listener-supported station whose mission is to connect people to God. Daily programming includes the best in contemporary Christian music and the radio ministries of Insight for Living (Chuck Swindoll), the Bill Maier Family Minute, Focus on the Family (Dr. James Dobson), and What Matters Most with Patty Dudley, among others. WIBI broadcasts to the St. Louis Metro area from Carlinville, IL. Other Family Friendly stations are scattered throughout Illinois, in Springfield, Mt. Vernon, Vandalia, and Granite City.

To learn more about the mission and ministries of WIBI, check out their website. You’ll find news, concert information, a community events calendar, and WIBI’s weekly program guide. You can meet the staff, join WIBI’s Music Advisory Panel, submit requests for prayer, and give your support to the station, all on this site. If you have never tuned in to 91.1 before, give them a listen. Many of the songs that the band at Faith Fellowship covers can be heard on WIBI every day. Songs from artists like Third Day, Steven Curtis Chapman, Aaron Shust, Jeremy Camp, Chris Tomlin, Superchick, TobyMac, Barlow Girl, Casting Crowns, Mercy Me, Jars of Clay, and the list goes on and on… The music will encourage you and give your soul a lift!

Compassion International

What is Compassion International?

Compassion International exists as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults. Sponsoring children in need is the core of how Compassion works. One child at a time, they are changing the world and giving the gift of hope.

Founded by the Rev. Everett Swanson in 1952, Compassion began providing Korean War orphans with food, shelter, education and health care, as well as Christian training. Today, Compassion helps more than 950,000 children in 24 countries.

AIDS Initiative

In addition to sponsoring four children through Compassion, Faith Fellowship supports Compassion’s AIDS Initiative. The AIDS Initiative focuses entirely on prevention, treatment, and rehabilitative care of those affected by the AIDS pandemic. Compassion’s treatment program is administered through the local church in each community. When the local church monitors health, provides treatment options, and offers prevention education, families willingly begin treatment. Children who have been stigmatized receive love, and parents find hope in the love of Jesus Christ.

We encourage you to visit www.compassion.com and read more about the work that this phenomenal organization does around the world.

Community Hope Center

The Community Hope Center in Cottage Hills, IL is a non-for-profit, volunteer based charity operating as a food pantry and crisis center since April 4, 1988. The Center was established to benefit families, children, and those who are less fortunate with programs that meet their diverse needs. During the past decade the Center has been providing thousands of tons of food, clothing, and furniture to the needy throughout our extended community.

No downturn is anticipated regarding people’s needs in these tough economic times. The demand for assistance is causing the Hope Center’s programs to expand at an alarming rate. Currently the Center is helping between 2,000 to 2,500 people per month. Weekly, four thousand pounds of food is distributed to those in need from the Center’s food pantry.

No one who comes to CHC for food is ever turned away, and as they are waiting in line, they are welcome to take as many clothes, furniture, and household items as they need. In addition, Christian counselors offer them prayer and Bible-based counseling. The Hope Center has seen many people give their lives to Christ as a result of this intervention.

CHC also offers a free medical clinic once a week and provides training in computers and other skills that will give individuals a hand up into the work force.

Community Hope Center always needs and welcomes volunteers. Contact Director Lyn Cloninger at 259-0959 or hope@hopecenters.com or visit their website for more information.