Rev. Jaimie Alexander, lead Pastor at First United Methodist Church in Texarkana wanted to share some Valentine’s Day love with the community, and determined that some forgotten workers for the dual cities should be the recipients of this love.
On Valentine’s Day, Rev. Alexander, Rev. Robin Roark, Associate Pastor, and Penny Arnold, member, delivered 161 packages with goodies to the City of Texarkana sanitation employees and Waste Water Treatment employees.
“No one ever thinks about us and we are here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” shared a Waste Water Treatment employee, who was so surprised by the gift.
Each package was prepared by The Power Pak, which is a children’s ministry for 2nd through 6th graders at Texarkana FUMC. “The children put together all of the packages and we blessed each one this past Sunday during worship,” added Alexander.
Each package was packed full of snacks donated by members of the congregation, a Valentine’s Day message of thanks and information about the church.
Rev. Alexander and Rev. Roark were also able to share Valentines with the construction workers at the new Arkansas State Police headquarters next door to the church and employees of a local refrigeration company.
Rev. Alexander added, “God used a sanitation employee picking up trash in my neighborhood to birth this outreach to persons in our community. The congregation very enthusiastically supported this ministry and contributed so much to help fill gallon size bags of nuts, snack crackers, cookies, candy, power bars, and more. Our desire is to not to just go to church, but to BE THE CHURCH as we share the light and love of Jesus Christ in our community.”