New Directions Family Centre
Context:
The need to raise funds for Ministry and Kingdom mission is well accepted. We are believing for God to do great things in providing for the construction of the multipurpose building and also in ministering to the needy and hurting in our community. With this there is also the challenge of raising funds to help support offshore missions as well. True faith is always accompanied by deeds, and so an opportunity shop provides an opportunity to express that faith so God may bless.
Mission Statement:
To raise funds for the ministry of Country Life Compassion Inc, Country Life Community Care Inc and the disadvantaged and needy in other countries through the sale of second-hand clothing, furniture and other goods as opportunity affords.
Implementation:
Suggested guidelines to implement this project and launch the "Ministry" of the opportunity shop are as follows:
1. To be staffed by volunteers who satisfy the criteria for our volunteer policy
2. Church and school networks used to source product for the op shop
3. A leadership team to be ordained to oversee the management of the op shop with clear lines of accountability mapped out
4. The op shop to be conducted as part of Country Life Community Care with banking and insurance issues embraced by this corporation
5. The op shop will also be the public interface with the community for Country Life Compassion and Country Life Community Care prior to the Emmanuel Christian Schools and Ministries being constructed
6. Volunteer staff to be trained and fully briefed prior to operating in the shop
7. Signage to be arranged, along with press release/publicity
8. Rental to be underwritten by Emmanuel Christian Outreach, and/or private guarantors
History
The opportunity shop commence trading at 5 Catherine Street Strathalbyn in August 2008 , under the registered business name "New Direction Family Centre".
New Directions Family Centre gave a practical expression to our heart to help people that we are declared to the wider community. During our application for a regional partnerships grant from the Department of Transport and Regional Affairs. It also functions as a springboard to other service opportunities in our community, and as a trigger the release of faith in others for the objects of Country Life Compassion and Country Life Community Care.
This project and its service has become a rallying point to help build momentum for the future of community outreach and provided an opportunity for others to participate as volunteers in a myriad of tasks including:
• Assembling goods
• Sorting and cleaning goods
• Pricing and labelling goods
• Evaluating garage sales for product (buying and selling).
• Learning to interact with the general community (customers/browsers); the "accidental" councillor
• Building and sustaining a new "team" to deliver a new service for the Kingdom in our community.
• Integrating gospel/kingdom literature distribution as part of the opportunity shop Ministry?