The Flint, Michigan, congregation was able to participate in a community project to assist those with addiction problems. The project, called “Soberfest,” is a community project supported by many caring individuals and by non-profit recovery shelters to assist those who may need intervention with various types of addictions.

The Soberfest project is a grass roots measure to help friends, neighbors and coworkers who may have drug/alcohol or abuse related dependencies. It receives no government funding. It has been running for 17 years in the Flint community. There are activities for children like trout fishing in a transported tank built so children can see the fish as well as catch them. Undertakings also include softball, euchre, volleyball, horseshoes and a recovery walk. The fees to participate are small, but each penny made goes to assist those who are in recovery or need information to find recovery agencies and information. All the activities are efforts to allow the community to participate in good, worthwhile events.

One of our members, John Prevost of the Flint congregation, has been involved for many years. John’s sister, Lynn Burton, also became involved a few years ago to work with some of the fundraising opportunities. John, Lynn and a few other members set such a wonderful example of service that some realized they were part of a church group. They did not know our church name, but they knew the members were part of a church in the area. After a few years of serving in those areas, one of the group organizers asked one of our members if they would like to distribute our church literature. We happily said yes.

We had the opportunity to set up our own tent area this year to display many pieces of literature for those who seek to know who we are and what we teach. This allowed us the room to display 12 of our booklets and two of our magazines. We had two of the most current issues of The Good News as well as Vertical Thought. We opened up our Good News magazines to display the Kingdom of God Bible Seminars that will begin on September 10th.

Our congregation had about 20 volunteers who spent much of the day answering questions or just allowing passersby to take whatever literature caught their eye.
We knew this was going to be the hottest day of the summer to date and were not sure if the turnout for the day would go well with Michiganders looking for a cool place to hide. But we were surprised. We were able to hand out 176 booklets and magazines. We even had some ask where we are located, and we supplied our church location for them.

We want to thank the home office for sending us the booklets to help us serve the community. It was a time for the Flint congregation members to get a feel of what it is like to help “preach the truth” we cherish so dearly. Sometimes you do not need to preach by standing on a soapbox; you can preach by standing behind a table, and God will do His part.

We had some booklets and magazines left at the end of the day. With the connection we now have with the Soberfest activity, one of our members will be able to take the rest of our booklets and use them for distribution in several local recovery houses. We hope that each may become an avenue to help someone looking for God’s answers to their questions about life.

Thanks to Lynn Burton and John Prevost—they helped us set a wonderful example of how to serve in the community around us and to help those who need help.