churches, businesses, and ministries partake in CareFest each year. CareFest is a weeklong, Christcentered, compassion outreach. Throughout the week, the objective is to do as much good as you can. SCTB works with churches and ministries to minister the love of God through practical acts of kindness. "This week of caring culminates in a day-long work day in which hundreds of volunteers in different locations throughout our service area come together to beautify and repair homes and neighborhoods. These projects are identified through local government offices, churches, and ministries. At the end of the day, the volunteers and the [recipients] come together to recognize and celebrate their accomplishments. Free food and drinks are provided for all involved" (www.carefestusa.com). Additionally, every year a "Care Cup" is awarded to the city with the largest number of volunteers, which really creates unity within each city as well. Daniel shared that one volunteer in St. Petersburg gave this testimony: "I've never seen the Church actually come together and serve like this across racial and denominational lines." This is a beautiful picture of what SCTB wants to accomplish with CareFest. It's about unifying to show God's love to the community in ways that truly impact people's lives for the better, giving a glimpse of Jesus in every kind act. Kathy added, “Many people will never go inside the church so we have to go to them. Through CareFest, we are able to go into the community to meet real needs. As we go and [represent] the hands and feet of Jesus, we earn the right to be heard. We are showing God's love in a practical way and letting these individuals know that God loves them unconditionally – no strings attached. The message that individuals from different churches, backgrounds, and races are working side by side to help them, sends a strong message of what kind of Church God intended us to be. We have seen, over and over again, lives changed by this powerful practical outreach.”
BE CARETAGIOUS SCTB desires for CareFest to be the catalytic event that will transform the Church's outlook on community outreach. The hope is that businesses, ministries, churches, and groups of people will continue to do projects in their communities throughout the year, not just
during CareFest. "They can go on our website (www.carefestusa.com) and adopt a project a month or every quarter and maybe even continue to reach out to the family that they help," Daniel said. "Our mission statement is unifying and empowering the Body of Christ as a caring (‘caretagious’) community to transform Tampa Bay," Daniel explained. “We want to see every resident of Tampa Bay receive a visible, physical demonstration and an audible or written presentation of the Gospel” (www.sctb.org). Are you now inspired to get involved? This year's CareFest is on September 28th. You can be part of a group that adopts a project and brings the supplies, or you can donate tools, supplies, or financial support to make the projects possible. You can also donate clothing, shoes, and household items which will be sent to Second Image Thrift Stores to help SCTB raise funds. Lastly, SCTB can always use an extra pair of hands. Volunteering your time is just as valuable as a financial donation. Call 727-536-2273, email admin@sctb.org, or log on to www.sctb.org or www.carefestusa.com to find out more. Daniel Bernard, with the support of his wife, took a vision from the Lord and developed an amazing and unique ministry that truly exemplifies an outward focus. Very few organizations solely focus their efforts on unifying the Body of Christ to show God's love to the world. Sometimes unity cannot be quantified, but we can assure you that this ministry's impact is far reaching, and SCTB has certainly left a mark on the Tampa Bay region. SCTB's work has truly produced a “caretagious” community unified in Christ. There is hope in unity. Glory!
UPCOMING EVENTS SEPT. 28
CareFest Day Tampa Bay
OCT. 12
Freedom 5K /1K Walk Ream Wilson Trail, Clearwater
OCT. 25
10th Annual Golf Classic East Lake Woodlands Country Club
NOV. 28
Thanksgiving Dinner Outreach Ferg's Bar & Grill
DEC. 21-24 "Caretagious" Christmas Tampa Bay Get more details at: www.sctb.org
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September/October 2013 Love+Faith+Hope