News Article

Church donates hundreds of coats

By: THE GOSHEN NEWS STAFF

Goshen, Ind — When a pastor asked during a message about love if Grace Community Church members would give up their coats, more than 400 coats were donated to a street ministry.The coats were given to R.A.V.E.N. Midwest Outreach Ministries, a street ministry run by Terry Shuff who works with the homeless and low-income families.“I network with a number of different churches, and some of the people that go out on the streets with me are in that church,” Shuff said.“They had a message over there given by their pastor about love and understanding. The question was, ‘Would you give up your coat?’ We ended up with more than 400 coats, so now we’ll pass those out to the homeless and less fortunate,” he added.The Rev. Jim Brown, lead pastor at Grace Community Church in Goshen, said he is presenting to members a series of messages with the theme, “I Live.” Sunday’s message was “I Love,” and he said he tried to create a situation so members could feel what it is to sacrifice.When he discussed the biblical directive to clothe those without clothes, Brown asked if members would give up their coats.“I have never been more proud or humbled,” Brown said of the response.He said more coats were donated, and some will also be given to the Hope Rescue Mission.