As shared by their current president, Laura Moore, “I believe God has placed us here for such a time as this.”
With humble beginnings in 1983 from a $500 donation by an anonymous benefactor, East Lincoln Christian Ministry was originally called Christian Cooperative Ministry of East Lincoln County, with a membership that included many area churches. In order to better serve the community, pooling resources and expanding their reach became the next goal, and Lincoln County offered the group the use of the property on Highway 16 adjacent to Triangle Elementary School – now Holy Spirit Church. A single-wide trailer was acquired, and the organization began collecting food and clothing for distribution. The early founders of this ministry had no idea how extensive their reach would one day become, and the countless lives they would change!
The ministry moved to a larger building on Pine Ridge Road in Denver, but due to rapid growth and widespread excitement for the mission, it moved to its current location on Catawba Burris Road in Denver across from the Rock Springs Campground.
After those years of amazing growth, their original mission still rings true: “To be a shared ministry of Christian men and women who are compassionate, caring and unselfish, and who share love with all who are in need.”
The Catawba Burris Road location now houses the administrative office and Crisis Ministry (providing for the needs of individuals on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.), the Food Pantry (serving Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.), Home Meals Ministry, and the Sales Department (offering good used clothing at very reasonable prices open to the public on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until noon. Please note, donations of good, usable items are accepted during those times only.)
Crisis Ministry provides assistance to all those in need, while treating them with dignity and love, and ELCM offers assistance according to set guidelines with needs reviewed on a regular basis. The Home Meals Ministry provides a warm, well balanced meal five days a week (excluding holidays) to individuals in the East Lincoln area who are homebound due to illness, disability, injury or advanced age. Physicians, home health services, family members, concerned neighbors and friends may make referrals at the hotline number, 704.483.9238. The Home Meals Ministry receives no federal funds, so recipients pay for the meals according to their ability to pay.
The Furniture Annex on Cedar Street in Denver (704.966.0498) offers furniture, home accessories, luggage, appliances (small and large), camping gear and sports equipment, all at reasonable prices. The Annex is open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until noon and gladly accepts donations at that time.
The VITA Program (the white house with the red roof on Campground Road) provides IRS Certified Volunteers who can offer free tax assistance to individuals from late January through mid-April. Anyone wishing to assist with scheduling appointments, intake or preparation is asked to contact Jim at [email protected] or by phone at 704.966.1696.
ELCM Family Fashions on Highway 150 in Sherrills Ford, opened in November 2022 and offers a large selection of new clothing for the entire family, home accessories, bridal and formal apparel, unique gift items and a huge selection of jewelry, all at very reasonable prices. They are open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
East Lincoln Christian Ministry is fully staffed by volunteers, so all funds are used for operation of the ministry. Remember, while your purchase is bringing joy to you, know that it is also bringing joy to many others!
Laura also shares other ways to serve as a volunteer, including the group’s annual golf tournament – their only fundraiser. Joining the Golf Committee offers you the opportunity to share the missions of East Lincoln Christian Ministry with local businesses who may wish to become involved.
East Lincoln Christian Ministry, Inc. is governed by a Board of Directors that meets quarterly to monitor the activities, programs and services provided by each area of the ministry. If you would like to become a part of this unique 501(c)(3) ministry, please visit their offices at 4278 Catawba Burris Road, Denver, NC, or call 704.483.4415 – Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until noon.
