Exciting ministries continue to develop around the mission center, listed below are some examples of those programs utilized in 2008:

Five congregations utilized the Gospel Wagon in a number of activities during the year.  These activities included vacation church schools, community carnivals, community Thanksgiving dinner and other events.  The Gospel Wagon is a wonderful tool for reaching out to children of all ages.

The “Jesus and Me Jamboree” resources were also utilized in the mission center, most notably at New Walnut Park and Hawthorne Place.  Between the two programs, over 150 children who would otherwise not be associated with the church are involved each week.   The Village Heights and East Alton Congregations have been the prime support for the Hawthorne project providing between 30 and 40 volunteers each week to facilitate the JAM program. 

The ministry at Hawthorne Place continues to be an exciting ongoing expression of faith in action for both those who volunteer and for the neighborhood at large. As such, it was a very good year for the programs and opportunities that were developed by Central Mission in partnership with Village Heights and East Alton Congregations.

The ”Jesus and Me” program continues to prosper and grow, so much so, that in 2008 the number of children involved in the program grew to over 120 kids on a regular basis- up from 100 the year prior. In 2008 there was even interest expressed by the Boys and Girls Club to expand programming to include middle school aged children. For our efforts Community of Christ was honored as 2008 Volunteers of the Year (for the third year in a row).

Additionally, 2008 was a year of tremendous growth for the weekly Bible study. Each week as many as 30 people gather in the Hawthorne Place Community Center on Thursday evening for study, prayer, food and fellowship.

Twice monthly worship services were also begun in late 2008 with the first annual Hawthorne Place Christmas Service in the Gymnasium at the Boys and Girls Club. More than twenty neighborhood residents attended the first service to celebrate the birth of Christ.

Pantry Fund

The Mission Center membership donated $34,481 to the Pantry Fund from which a large portion ($33,176) was used to support the Community Services League pantry. In addition, congregations such as Grandview, Raytown, and others support their community programs directly or they have their own congregational program.

Oblation Assistance

In August and September of 2007, the mission center decentralized the oblation assistance program by shifting the ministry from the mission center office to the financial officers of each congregation. This process allows for greater emotional and spiritual support in addition to the financial assistance that might be provided.