Sarah’s Blessings
Pastor Mike Matthews of First Baptist Church of Claysville and Heather Filby-Salazar, ministry coordinator, discuss the church’s new ministry, Sarah’s Blessing.
Sarah’s Blessings, a ministry aiding children, is named in honor of longtime First Baptist Church of Claysville member Sarah Cunningham.
First Baptist Church of Claysville
Having just officiated a funeral, Mike Matthews was talking with family and friends after the service when he looked outside and noticed children playing in the backyard.
They were the children of the deceased, who had died of a drug overdose.
In his nearly two years as pastor of First Baptist Church of Claysville, Matthews has witnessed the effects of the overdose epidemic. He’s seen the obituaries. He’s heard the stories. He’s presided over the funerals.
He and church member Heather Filby-Salazar had been brainstorming ways to make a difference. Though the small church only has about 30 members, they were convinced they could do something – anything – to help alleviate the stress of addiction.
“A lot of people feel like, because they have an addiction, that God doesn’t love them. We’re trying to say, ‘That’s not true. God sees you. He loves you.’ We want people to know that church is a place of acceptance,” Matthews said. “If you’re struggling, there’s a home here for you.”
Their new ministry is the first of what Matthews and coordinator Filby-Salazar hope will be several initiatives to address the epidemic.
“We don’t have the expertise to offer (treatment), but we want to be a resource,” said Filby-Salazar.
The sight of those children at the funeral compelled Matthews to start with a ministry for children living in Washington County who have had a parent die from a drug overdose.
Through the Sarah’s Blessings ministry, Christmas presents will be purchased for children who have lost a parent since December 2016. Children from birth to 18, living in Washington county, are eligible to receive gifts.
“We’ve got to do the best we can,” said Matthews. “We’re not expecting a toy to change someone’s life, but it will let them know someone is thinking of them.”
The ministry is named in honor of Sarah Cunningham, a church member who spent years volunteering with men in recovery at Washington City Mission.
Applications, including required documentation, will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 11 at the church, 317 Main St., Claysville. Registration forms and required documents – valid ID of guardian, birth certificate for the child, proof of custody if not the biological parent, proof of Washington County residency and proof of death for the deceased parent – also can be sent via email to SarahsBlessings.FBC@gmail.com or by mail to the church by Nov. 11.
Tags will be created for registered children, and people will have the opportunity to purchase gifts for them. Monetary donations also will be accepted.
Gifts should be dropped off at the church by Dec. 10 so registered families can pick them up on Dec. 17.
Matthews and Filby-Salazar are confident this will be the first of several addiction initiatives.
“Our church is very community focused. We have sponsored global missions, but we wanted to do something in our community,” said Matthews. “We’re a small church, but we believe we can do big things.”
For information, visit the Facebook page First Baptist Church of Claysville or call 724-663-5740.