THE “CARE CHURCH” Resurfaces

Beaufort Seventh-day Adventist Church has been renowned as a small church with a big heart. Similar to the rest of the world, this congregation almost lost sight of their calling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They had been given the title of “Care Church” around 20 years ago when the church was well known for their “I-Care Center” that provided clothing, food, and resources for anyone in need in the community. After relocating, the church has been seeking to recreate an atmosphere of refuge within their community.

On October 2, 2021, the Adventist Youth Ministry of Beaufort church bolstered a local neighborhood in need by hand-delivering “Care Packs” to each home. Prior to delivery, the church collected face masks, hand sanitizer, tissue, individually packaged herbal tea, and other items helpful in the pandemic. AY members filled the bags with these items and small health pamphlets. The families warmly received these Care Packs from youth and elders

alike. Powerful prayers of AY members permeated their hearts, bypassing screen doors and dismantling the distance of six feet. Within an hour the church bus was emptied of a total of 100 Care Packs.

The following Sabbath on October 9th , Beaufort Church hosted “Praise in the Parking Lot,” a

concert that included members from the church and musical guests from surrounding churches in the area. More than 60 attendees were seen nestled in their cars—or with hands

lifted in praise—across the church parking lot. Some of the neighbors who received a Care Pack a week before joined with the church in praise. Music from all ages rang out across the packed parking lot, inviting the community to unite in glorifying our God who has blessed us all, even during these unprecedented times.

Beaufort Church rejoices that the AY ministry has led the church to resurface their mission of care. They aim to continue to employ their gifts of hospitality and music in conveying the pledge of Adventist Youth Ministries: “Loving the Lord Jesus, I promise to take an active part in the youth ministry of the church, doing what I can to help others and to finish the work of the Gospel in all the world.”

—by Dearra Walters,

Photographers Ronesto Pineda & Dearra Walters