Community Partnerships
North Central Baptist Association supports 3 outreach community centers. These centers provide for those with needs in our communities. Before addressing the spiritual needs in the Gospels, Jesus often took time to, first, meet physical needs. Providing the physical need opened the door to a much greater need; salvation. Community centers provide opportunities to meet physical needs, which opens the door to share the love and salvation of Christ. Countless seeds are sown through these community centers each year.
The Cross Roads Ministry is located in Chatham. The ministry receives support from local churches, as well as the Louisiana Baptist Convention. Food items for the ministry are purchased from the Northeast Louisiana Food Bank. Those meeting the qualifications set by the USDA are able to receive assistance. Each month approximately 6,000 pounds of food are distributed to an estimated 90 families, reaching almost 225 individuals. Cross Roads provides assistance every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month from 8:00 AM-10:00 AM.
His Hands is located in Jonesboro. The ministry provides both food and clothing for families in need. Each month approximately 4,000 lbs. of food are distributed to an estimated 100 families reaching almost 150 individuals. Household items and laundry detergent are also available to families that receive assistance. Each month His Hands receives 50 visits for clothing. The ministry also provides school uniforms for children in need each year. The ministry is open from 8:00 AM-10:00 AM Monday-Thursday.
The Winn Community Food Pantry is located in Winnfield. The ministry serves approximately 50 boxes of groceries each week to those in need. Families sign up and can receive boxes filled with needed food items once a month. If a family has 3 or more children at home, they receive two boxes of groceries. Volunteers from different denominations work weekly to prepare the boxes. The Food Pantry is open every Thursday from 12:30 PM-2:30 PM at the First Presbyterian Church.