Community Outreach
” They will know we are Christians by our Love…”
St. James’ is a church family committed to doing for others in God’s Kingdom. Outreach is the means by which we reach out to the community, outside our church doors, to our neighbors near and far, known and unknown.
“To whom much is given, much is expected.”
This passage serves as a touchstone for St. James’ outreach ministries. God challenges us to be good stewards and our annual budget reflects our financial commitment to outreach with 20 percent dedicated to outreach efforts and Diocesan support.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED:
St. James’ members of all ages are encouraged to live out God’s call to “love our neighbor.”
Contact the chairman of the Outreach Committee, Maura Jelliffe at mjell2014@gmail.com for more information on getting plugged in to this important ministry.
Boy Scouts
St. James’ is home to Troop 1, the oldest Boy Scout Troop in the state. Their Scout Hut resides on the St. James’ Campus.
https://bsa-jackson.org
CONTACT Crisis Line
A 24-hour help line for people in any kind of trouble, Crisis Line has been ministering in the Jackson area for 30 years. St. James’ provides 5 volunteers each month, one per week, who serve as trained Crisis Counselors.
Contact Us HERE to get involved.
Delta Streets Academy
Delta Streets Academy equips young men by providing Christ-centered disciplined education. We promote the highest achievement in academics, a biblical worldview, a competitive athletic environment and character development. St. James’ Youth make a mission trip to the delta each year.
Find out more about Delta Streets and how to get involved @ www.deltastreetsacademy.org
Gateway Rescue Mission
To offer life changing hope through the gospel of Jesus Christ to homeless people in Jackson through programs to deliver food, and provide shelter, counseling, and discipleship.
For more information about Gateway or to volunteer, contact www.gatewaymission.org
Growing Up Knowing
Founded as The Mississippi Campaign for Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Growing Up Knowing engages young people and their parents or caregivers in real conversations about sexual health and smart decision making throughout the state of Mississippi. We provide youth and their parents or caregivers accurate information and tools they need to stay safe from potential abusers and bullies.
Want to find out more? Check out their website: www.growingupknowing.org
Grace House
To serve homeless Mississippians living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, by providing and maintaining housing in which clients may live with dignity, safety, and care; by providing supportive services that meet the physical health, mental health, educational, employment, and spiritual needs of individual clients thereby empowering each to achieve the highest quality and most independent life possible; and, by providing education and awareness to the public.
Visit their website www.gracehousems.org for volunteer opportunities.
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat builds homes for people willing to work to help themselves, but who live in substandard or inadequate housing due to income challenges. Over 100 Habitat homes have been built in Jackson and St. James’ volunteers have participated in the construction of seven Habitat houses. Volunteer opportunities available at www.habitatmca.org.
Honduras Medical Mission
Volunteer medical and dental professionals, accompanied by support personnel, provide needed medical, veterinary and dental care for villagers of San Joaquin and neighboring villages, Honduras and the surrounding under served area. The Diocese of Mississippi has sponsored 34 mission trips to date.
Hope House
The Hope House of Hospitality is a “home away from home” for individuals from around Mississippi, who receive outpatient treatments at Jackson cancer treatment facilities. Guests at Hope House are provided with a home-like atmosphere, meals, and transportation to and from their outpatient treatments. Get involved with Hope House @ www.hopehouseofhospitality1985.org.
The McClean Fletcher Center
The McClean Fletcher Center continues to be the only grief support center in MS and has helped more children and their families in the healing process. www.mccleanfletcher.org/volunteer
Mississippi Food Network
The school pantry program is an extension of the backpack program where we provide approximately 1500 children each week with a meal kit so they will have food on the weekend, a time they do not receive breakfast and lunch at school. Volunteer Saturday is on the second Saturday from 9 am – noon when we invite volunteers to help pack food boxes. We also invite volunteers to come during the week to help pack backpack meal kits. For more information contact www.msfoodnet.org.
The Mustard Seed
A Christian community for adults with developmental disabilities, The Mustard Seed provides a loving and protected environment where the spiritual, physical, emotional and intellectual needs of adults with special needs are met.
Volunteers are always welcome at the Mustard Seed! Check out their website @ www.mustardseedms.org.
Operation Shoestring
Operation Shoestring provides year-round academic, social and emotional support to 300+ children in central Jackson from pre-K to 12th grade, while supporting and providing resources to their families. The aim is to empower the children and families it serves to create their own success.
Get involved with Operation Shoestring @ www.operationshoestring.org.
The Redeemer’s School
The school is less than a mile from St. James’ and would love to have help from us as classroom readers. Our contact is Kathy Russell who volunteers at the school.
Partner with The Redeemer’s School @ www.wearetrs.org.
Refill Jackson
The Refill Jackson Initiative's mission is to empower young adults, ages 18 to 24, so that they are more confident, better equipped, and motivated to enter into, navigate, and stay in the workforce. Through four 10-week trainings each year, Refill helps young adults find jobs that align with their interests.
St. James’ is currently looking for two dynamic professionals to address members, sharing experiences from their first job, how they found their passion, and what forces shaped their career path. This volunteer opportunity takes 45 minutes and is typically scheduled during the lunch hour.
Contact Maura Jelliffe at mjell2014@gmail.com or www.refilljackson.org.
Shower Power
Shower Power is more than a shower. They want to bring hospitality to the streets by delivering mobile hygiene services to people experiencing homelessness. It's about taking time to show people that you care, and restoring dignity by providing resources needed for self-care.
The homeless face many challenges, one being the difficulty in getting access to a shower. It really does take a village. You will help by handing out fresh towels, hygiene items, clean clothing, or you can be a friend to someone. Volunteer opportunities available throughout the year @ www.showerpower.ms.
Stewpot Community Services
St. James’ has been an active supporter of Stewpot Ministries for many years including a position on their corporate board as one of its founding churches. There are variety of needs and lots of volunteer opportunities for individuals and families – find the one that fits your desire and time. Contact the coordinator listed with the activity to sign up: www.stewpot.org
Voice of Calvary Ministries
Voice of Calvary Ministries believes that to break the cycle of poverty we must bring the best practices available into those areas most neglected. Much research has shown that the careers that are going to grow in the future, and provide a living wage will be in science technology, engineering, arts and math, or what is know as STEAM. This year’s proposal was to renovate and equip a room called a Makerspace/Innovation Space in their facility for a hands-on learning laboratory. Volunteers of any skill level can be used, but those with basic carpentry and or construction skills would be especially helpful, particularly in the months of February through April. In addition, volunteers are needed to assist elementary school age youth during the summer months of June and July as mentors and tutors: www.vocm.org.