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LAUREL — In Matthew 10:8, Jesus reminds his followers, “Freely you have received; freely give.”
These words capture the heart of the Laurel-Concord Ministerial Association, a partnership of local pastors and congregations working together to share God’s love in our community.
As members of the Laurel-Concord Ministerial Association, we are grateful to serve side by side, praying for one another, worshiping together, and responding to needs with compassion.
Through shared ministries such as the National Day of Prayer, Youth Lenten Breakfasts, Thanksgiving meal boxes, Christmas meal boxes, and benevolence assistance, we strive to be the hands and feet of Christ for all people who call Laurel, Concord, and the surrounding area their home.
Every blessing we receive from God — grace, forgiveness, hope and love — is meant to be shared. When we give freely of ourselves, we reflect the generosity of the One who first gave everything for us.
The Laurel-Concord Ministerial Association is generously funded by our community.
We primarily use these funds to assist individuals and families with urgent financial needs. These most often include rent, utility, grocery and gas expenses.
We also collect donations to fund our Thanksgiving and Christmas meal boxes. We have an account at Security Bank for donations.
The meal boxes include a full meal for the holiday, which at Thanksgiving includes turkey, potatoes, dressing, vegetables, pumpkin pie, cool whip, bread and butter. At Christmas, they receive a ham in place of the turkey.
Churches included in our Ministerial group: Concord Evangelical Free, Concordia Lutheran, Faith Community, Immanuel Lutheran, St. Mary’s, United Lutheran Church and United Presbyterian Church.
The group meets once a month during the school year with summer meetings only as needed.
We include a lay person from each church along with the pastor for community input and discernment for the needs of our community. Lay members include Lisa Karnes, Jean Granquist, Carolyn Alt, Dan Kuhlman and Jim Erwin.
Together with our pastors, David Badley serves as the care coordinator for the Laurel-Concord Ministerial Association, assisting with both the spiritual care and benevolent support offered to individuals and families in our community.
The Laurel-Concord Ministerial Association is a reminder that we are stronger together. May we continue to serve faithfully, give joyfully, and shine God’s light in all we do.
We invite you to pray for our ongoing ministries and to join us in acts of service and kindness that bless others in Christ’s name. Together, let us continue to live out the call of Jesus — to freely give, just as we have freely received.
— Pastor Deb Hammer, Concordia Lutheran Church
