Winter/Spring 2004
Facing Bench

Jackson Friends Philip Ministry
It all began on a Youth Missions Trip to Chicago where Jackson Friends Youth met needs in an urban setting. While returning home, Peter Guiler, youth director at that time, caught a vision for a street ministry in Canton. Why not help out with needs in the local area, introducing local youths and volunteers to the mission experience without the expense?

Shortly after, as Peter and other leaders at Jackson Friends started discussing this idea, the Neighborhood Action Program in Canton disbanded and chose to leave all their assets (tools, supplies, etc.) to Jackson Friends on the condition that they be used for street ministry in Canton.

It was time to begin.

During 2003, over 40 families were helped and Andrew Rositer was hired to oversee the program. “Philip Ministry is named after the Philip referred to in Acts 6:1-7 when the apostles selected a few men to oversee the needs of the poor and widows,” explained Andrew. “We reach out to the elderly, disabled, and single parent households in Canton. We’ve done everything from landscaping to electrical to roofing to painting. Basically we do any maintenance work that they need to be done for free.”

The Philip Ministry functions at two ministry levels: first as an on-going service ministry for members of Jackson Friends; and secondly, as a resource to provide facilities and a structured option for youth groups who desire a “mission trip experience” with less travel and expense than is usually required.

Jackson Friends members enjoy weekly, hands-on opportunities for service in the community. Ted Salsburg, a Jackson Friends volunteer commented, “We as Christians need to be out helping others. I just like to get out there and get dirty. You also get to know other Christians as you work side-by-side. It is not just work but fellowship as well." Every Monday and Wednesday nights, projects are arranged for church members who are willing to volunteer their time and skills to those in need.

When a flood hit the Canton area in August 2003, they went into overdrive. The Red Cross heard about the ministry and sent people looking for flood relief to Jackson Friends. Over 20 families who had been affected by the flooding were helped. One elderly lady had an entire wall of her basement collapse and volunteers spent 3 days at her house removing mud, water and debris. They also removed everything in the basement and bleached down the walls.

The second ministry level was proven just as successful during their first year as volunteers from five different church youth groups experienced the Philip Ministry. Throughout the summer, select youth groups from other EFC-ER churches were invited to come. They went out during the day to various sites that are prearranged to do painting, home repairs, and helped out at a local soup kitchen or where ever there were needs.

Jackson Friends opened their facilities to provide places to sleep, showers, full use of the kitchen to prepare meals, the use of the gym, and a place for free time and devotions in the Java House. Many expressed gratitude for a less expensive, more local ministry opportunity.

“Because this last year was our first year, we kept the number of churches we contacted down as a test to see how things went,” explained Andrew. “But, everything ran smoothly and we have even decided to contact EFC-ER churches outside of Ohio.”

As Jackson Friends continues their second year of residential repair ministry called the Philip Ministry, they look forward to meeting more neighbors in need.

For more information, contact Andrew Rositer at Jackson Friends Church, Massillon, Ohio.