By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

 

PELHAM— Last year, more than 100 volunteers mobilized for Lakeview Pelham’s First United Methodist Church’s annual community outreach event, Oak Mountain Miracle. This year, Pastor Michael Miller plans on having more than 150.

“It’s just a way that we show the love of Christ, very practically,” Miller said. “We want our community to know that we are there for them, and that we empower each other through God’s love. That’s really what we are all about.”

Oak Mountain Miracle will be Sept. 27 at 11 a.m. Miller said teams will be going to the homes of five needy families near Pelham to lend a hand. Participants will meet at the church’s campus for a brief worship service before leaving for the sites.

Miller said Lakeview reached out to the Pelham City Council and community members to identify the families who could benefit from outreach the most. Each of the homes are researched prior to the event, so teams can assess what work needs to be done.

“We want to be a real resource for our city government,” Miller said. “The church needs to be that. We are called to be the light of the world, and so we want to work with our government and our civic leaders to serve our community.”

This is the second year Lakeview has hosted Oak Mountain Miracle. They worked at four sites last year, clearing debris in yards, constructing steps and repairing plumbing as necessary.  Miller said each of the families were very grateful and touched for the help.

“It’s exhilarating because you really feel like you are being the hands and feet of Jesus, and that’s what we are called to be,” Miller said. “It fires me up. I get pumped up about it, and then also, to see the response from the homeowners and the families (is also rewarding).”

Lakeview is currently assessing the needs of the five sites chosen for this year’s mission, according to Miller.

For more information, visit Lvfirst.net.