6 June, 2025

Church Hosts Special Services for “˜Transitionals”

by | 23 April, 2012 | 0 comments

By Jennifer Taylor

 

Because of its warm winters, Florida has a large population “in transition”””people without steady jobs or permanent housing. Since last summer, First Christian Church in Kissimmee has worked to connect with this group in new ways.

Each Sunday afternoon, FCC holds a worship service designed especially for the transitional individuals in their community. Around 80 people attend this Community Outreach Service, which includes music led by a praise team and a sermon by preacher Jim Book or another member of the staff. The church provides coffee and refreshments for 30 minutes before each service and treats every worshipper to a hot lunch afterward.

“Small groups, Sunday school classes, and even members of the athletic program at Florida Christian College take turns preparing and serving the meals,” Book says. “In months with a “˜fifth Sunday,” we”ll have fun with a theme, such as our recent Italian lunch which included accordion players strolling among the tables as people ate.”

Although the process has been smooth for FCC, the church is learning as it goes.

“We installed bike racks because so many people arrived on bicycles,” Book says. “We don”t always know what is in people”s backpacks, so we ask everyone to stow their bags in one designated spot before the service. We also have a small security team.”

But he says any church could start a similar outreach.

“It doesn”t cost us anything but some time,” he says. “Our church members have jumped at the chance to contribute, and it”s completely paid for by donations.”

For this downtown church, the weekly services are a natural way to extend ministry into the sometimes-forgotten corners of the city.

“Some people are there because of bad luck, others because of bad choices,” Book says. “But they all need the redemptive power of Jesus.”

www.fcckissimmee.org

Christian Standard

Contact us at cs@christianstandardmedia.com

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