An update from Mark Langham and the progress on a home for the children at Hope for Life in Gressier, Haiti:

So thankful for my Ekklesia family. Because of your generosity and faith ground was broken this week on the new Hope For Life children's dorm. You guys are amazing!

For more information or to give see this post.

Hope for Haiti's Orphaned Children

Olrich and 21 children who have been orphaned in Gressier, Haiti are

$20,518

closer to the $40,000 needed to build a permanent, earthquake resistant home thanks to your generous gifts! The children are in the care of Hope For Life Children's Home.

You can still give by credit card using the secure service below or by writing a check to "Ekklesia Hattiesburg" (just write "Haiti" in the memo line) to drop off on Sundays or mail it to Ekklesia Hattiesburg, P.O. Box 641, Hattiesburg, MS 39403.

Meet Olrich (pictured above) 

 Olrich's mother abandoned him as an infant and his father who loves him could not provide the proper nutrition, care or schooling he would need. He came to Hope for Life very malnourished, but today is a thriving young boy who loves to throw dance parties wherever he goes!

This Week's Announcements

Check out info on our new look, ways to serve and connect and more announcements this week:

A New Year, A New Look!

When imagining a logo for Ekklesia, we were drawn to the simplicity of ancient Christian symbols. We drew our colors from paintings of the disciples, and how it would reflect our community statement of simply following together.
We loved the horizon. We love how it represents hope.
The reflection of the ‘e’ represents the rising sun upon that same horizon, and how we, the church, are incomplete without the presence of God. The three lines stemming from the sunrise represent the trinity, and also a new day, with new life.
In choosing this logo, we are also choosing the symbol of our community that thrives on the ideals of simplicity & the newness that comes daily with the rising of the sun, and the God of great hope who makes all things new.

Your Christmas Gift is in the Mail...to Haiti!

This Christmas we are raising money to build a permanent, earthquake resistant home for Olrich and 21 children who have been orphaned in Gressier, Haiti through Hope For Life Children's Home. The children currently live in a temporary structure once provided for relief workers after the 2010 earthquake which left 1.5 million displaced.  The temporary structure consists simply of plywood walls and studs, dirt floors and temperatures reaching 115 degrees during the day in the summer leaving the children no choice but to remain outside. The total project will cost over $40,000, so we want to begin to make sure these children have a safe, permanent home with proper bathroom and shower facilities. 

This Christmas consider "mailing" your family's and friends' Christmas gifts to Haiti by giving! You can even download a postcard to share with your friends/family to let them know where the "gift" is going.  Haiti Post Card Pdf

You can also give by writing a check to "Ekklesia Hattiesburg" (just write "Haiti" in the memo line).  Bring it on Sundays or mail it to Ekklesia Hattiesburg, P.O. Box 641, Hattiesburg, MS 39403. (To receive tax credit for 2014, mail must be post marked by Dec. 31, 2014)

Meet Olrich (pictured above)

Olrich's mother abandoned him as an infant and his father who loves him could not provide the proper nutrition, care or schooling he would need.  He came to Hope for Life very malnourished, but today is a thriving young boy who loves to throw dance parties wherever he goes!

Toney Robinson

There has a been a truly life affirming flood of support for the family of our dear friend Toney Robinson. So many of you have asked how you can help with the funeral costs and we have figured out that the easiest way to collect funds is just to set up a designated benevolence fund through Ekklesia Hattiesburg. 

If you would like to donate to the cause please do so via this link (it is designated for Toney Robinson's Memorial Fund)

Or via check by indicating that the donation is for Toney Robinson & send the donation to:
Ekklesia Hattiesburg
PO Box 641
Hattiesburg, MS 39403

Laser Tag for the kids with UBC

Thanks to everyone who helped out to get our kids together with the kids from University Baptist for a fun afternoon of Laser tag.   Remember, next Saturday Feb. 23rd our kids will all get together to serve breakfast at Hope House.