Central offers a range of ministries for all age groups within the church. From infants to senior adults, there are opportunities in Sunday School. For children, youth, women, men, senior adults, and the musically inclined there are various other opportunities. Ranging from community service to trips to prayer groups to even a fishing club, there is something for everyone.

On this page you will find highlights from time to time. Click on the ministry links above to find out more about particular areas.

 

Heritage Class. Newly marrieds, singles, those without a class looking for somewhere to go. Taught by Parks and Jo Avery. Third floor Heritage Room.

Discovery Class. Age 29+. Taught by Tim Whitehead. Style: Discussion. Third floor.

Upper Room Class. Age 30+. Taught by Tom Freeman and Paul Young. Style: Discussion. Third floor.

Kerygma Class. Age 35+. Taught by Pat McKee and Frank Eldrige. Style: Lecture/Discussion. Third floor.

II John Class. Age 40+. Rotating teachers. Style: Discussion. Third floor.

Cauthen Class. Age 50+. Rotating teachers: Parks Cole, Mark Mitchell, Jim Clark, Charles Wilson, Michael Baker. Style: Discussion. Third floor.

MAM Class. Age 56+. Rotating teachers. Style: Lecture. Second floor.

Kellam-Barron Class. Men 66+. Rotating teachers. Style: Lecture. Second floor.

Joy Class. Women 66+. Rotating teachers. Style: Lecture. Second floor.

Youth Classes. Youth sixth - twelfth grades. Youth building.

Children's Classes. First - fifth grades. Third floor.

Pre-school/Nursery. Newborns - preschool. First floor off Fellowship Hall.

"Helping Hands Ministry" takes care of some "little things" that can make a big difference

Suppose you're old and can't get up on the ladder to change a light bulb. Or you're not able to install the wheelchair ramp that's needed. Those are the kinds of jobs that are tackled by Central's "Helping Hands Ministry." The program's volunteers have done carpentry, painting, yard work, and other miscellaneous things around the recipients' homes. They have taken people to doctors, bought their groceries, or picked up their medicine when it was difficult for them to get out of the house. A new area added in 2009 was provision of wheelchairs, walkers, or canes to the elderly to help prevent an accident from happening.

"Helping Hands" has been in operation for over two years as a formal ministry. Previously, volunteers would do work in the community on an ad hoc basis. As much as the volunteers would like to meet a huge number of needs, the available assistance is limited by resources. Referrals come from someone within the church or from an agency.

"Feeding Our Friends" continues to serve in its third decade

Each Tuesday, prepare 120-130 meals. Then deliver them free, along with a side helping of care and friendliness, to needy and shut-in persons in the community. In a nutshell, that is what "Feeding Our Friends" is all about.

A faithful group of volunteers has been making this happen for over twenty years. When the ministry began, volunteers were delivering 40-45 meals, which has grown over the years to the current number. The needy persons receiving the meals are referred to the church by social service agencies.

While most of the recipients are elderly, not all of them are. And not all the needs are financial. According to Pam Hembree, "Sometimes the need isn't so much for food. For some it's just the greeting, having somebody knock on the door and check on them. They don't have to be financially needy—there can just be a need. Sometimes that need is temporary. We'll deliver to someone we hear about who maybe had some surgery. They can usually take care of themselves, but might just need a meal temporarily.

Volunteers preparing trays on a typical Tuesday morning.

Volunteers pose for their annual photo.