Horeb ( Exodus 3:1

By Lucy Weber

For those in need, a couch or a bed can be an answer to a prayer.

For a year, The Sheltering Tree ministry at Oakland Baptist Church in Corinth has been providing furniture and household items to those who find they need a helping hand.

“It’s been unique how it happens,” said church member Donna Miles, who organized the church’s ministry. “I may get a call from someone who says they’ve got a couch or loveseat or something to give away. Then, within minutes I get a call from someone who needs a couch or a loveseat. I’m amazed at how it works.”

“I don’t think we’ve got a week without giving away some furniture,” she said. “It’s been great to see how the Lord has worked.”

Before Christmas, a local woman’s house burned and the church took up a collection. “With all the money donated, we were able to meet her needs and had money left over so we paid three months of rent,” she said.

Another answered prayer occurred when a man called about donating his mother’s furniture since she was moving. As soon as Sheltering Tree volunteers loaded it all up, there was an immediate need for the items.

Those are just a few of how quickly God responds to those in need through the ministry, Miles said.

The Sheltering Tree helps anyone who needs assistance, Miles said. Local agencies know of the church outreach and they will refer people who find themselves in need of specific furniture or other items.

“Our goal is to ultimately gain the trust of the people we help so that we can share the Gospel with them. We try to stay in contact with them.”

Many of the families helped come from hurtful, abusive or addiction situations and they’re working to make a better life. “A lot don’t trust well, and we’ve got a place for them to trust,” Miles said. “There are a lot of women who have had to leave their homes quickly and find themselves where they and their kids had nothing.”

Items like beds, couches and baby furniture are big needs. “Small appliances are in hot demand too,” she said. “We tell people we can only give what we have.”

Miles, who has a degree in social work and a commitment to helping others, said the idea for this unique ministry came from her running into people who needed furniture to get their lives on track. Oakland Baptist “put two and two together” and realized that with Miles’background and other dedicated volunteers that the ministry could work. Church members have been generous in their response.

Last winter, a woman without heat in her home contacted The Sheltering Tree, but the ministry didn’t have any heaters. Miles said she put out a text to church members that led to a member going out to buy a truckload of heaters. That woman got immediate help and now there are heating units in storage for it people need them this winter, Miles said.

Calvary Baptist Church in Corinth has donated storage space for the furniture and other items, and other churches are helping too. “We’ve been blessed to see how He has pulled the community together,” Miles said. “We want this to be a community ministry, and it is growing.”

Miles said the ministry always has a need for volunteers who can help with physically moving the donated items into storage and then into the homes of those who need the items. “We need more people to help,” she said.

Another part of the ministry is the giving away of Blessing Bins. The group creates boxes full of necessary items that families may need. “We fill the bins for specific rooms and personalize them to the families in the initial contact,” Miles said. Bins are created for welcome, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Those offering to donate or volunteer or those finding themselves in need of assistance, Miles’ number is 662-415-9059 and the church’s number is 662287-3118.

Pam Brown and Donna Miles

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