Evangelism & Missions

Sharing the Gospel Near and Far

Throughout 2022, the E&M Team has offered opportunities for members of our church family to share the good news of Jesus here in Bergen and in remote jungles of Africa, plus places in between. Here's a summary of some of the activities offered by our members and supported by our church through the E&M budget:

Worldwide Missions

Foodlink

Our church hosted nine food distributions through the year. These regularly attracted approximately 150 families that included a total around 500 persons. Thanks to many volunteers from our congregation and the neighborhood for providing the muscle and the love to make these distributions happen.

Veterans Ministry

This outreach to homeless veterans in temporary housing resumed this year after a covid break. Shirley Harris and Joan Dermody visit Eagle Star housing in East Pembroke, taking games, small gifts, baked goods and the love of Jesus on a monthly basis. Pastor Brandt sometimes attends as well. They are looking for more folks to join them.

Sewing with a Purpose

Prayer shawls, port cushions, eye protection for premature babies, warm hats for homeless veterans, Days for Girls feminine hygiene kits are just some of the projects created by industrious creative ladies in our church family. The love included with these projects has been sent as far as Africa, to several other states in the US to friends and family of our church members, and for persons in need here in Bergen and local hospitals.

Park Days.

Our booth highlights activities and missions of our church, plus offers prayer for visitors.

(Webmaster note: The rest of the ministries will be organized and laid out like above. The pictures need to be replaced with ones that relate to the E&M ministries.

Operation Christmas Child. Throughout the year, items were collected and crafts were made to fill 82 boxes that went around the world. Additional boxes were filled and contributed by church family members.
Christmas Eve Offering. The Byron-Bergen School Backpack program received the funds donated for this offering. The program supports children in our school district who have little or no food in their homes over the weekends of the school year.
VBS. Once again, a full week of activities and Bible lessons are offered in a joint program with the Methodist Church. Sports Camp is offered in the evenings the same week -- one more opportunity to share the gospel.
Genesee County Young Life. God called the local director to a different mission this year, but Young Life programming was offered to Genesee County teens through cooperation with the Rochester West staff. Plans are underway to expand Wyldlife for middle schoolers in Batavia. Young Lives continued its work with local teen moms.
Door of Hope. The coffee house ministry was launched this year.
Harvest Festival. Our church is open for community fellowship, games and, of course -- candy! presented with a gospel message on trick-or-treat night.
Teen Outreach with Reverb. This all night sports event for teens in Rochester had more of our local teens sign up than in years past, so E&M was able to tap evangelism funds to cover the cost of a bus and registration for unchurched kids.
All Babies Cherished. Our annual support was vital this year as this Batavia-based mission had reduced some of its fundraising because of covid. The love of Jesus is shared with struggling young parents.
Open Door Rochester. Food, shelter and the message of salvation shared with people in need in our nearest city.
Bike Ministry. Stu Freeman collects and repairs old bicycles, then passes them out to children and adults in need. Ten to 12 bikes were distributed this year. Recipients include residents of Eagle Star Veterans home, patrons at Genesee Community Action in Batavia and other individuals. The bikes provide transportation for employment and groceries for some adults.