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.

Year End Finances

We finished balancing out our financial statements for the past fiscal year.  I am incredibly humbled by everyone's generosity and this family's commitment to investing in our local and global community. It is an amazing example of faith enfleshed. We keep our books open to everyone who is interested. So if you would like read a little about our programs and/or our 2012 finances you can view a summary here. It includes next year's budget, last years expenditures,and a introduction to our programming.

Thank You so much for your generosity - cant wait to see what we can stir up this coming year! (if this link doesn't work let me know)

Thanks for your Help!

We were able to send Christmas gifts to all of the girls living in the Orphanage in Rayagada, India which you helped to build last year.  We also had such a great response we were able to provide gifts for the blind children of another orphanage nearby.  We are thankful fo Narges Ashtari and The Prishan Foundation for all they do, and we are thankful for your time and efforts to make this happen.

THANK YOU!

We are 5 Years Old!

Sunday night (8/26/12) we gathered at Hawkins Elementary School to celebrate 5 years of stories. We heard from a few of you and also heard from the Principal at Hawkins Elementary school about the amazing things that are happening there, due in part, to the Neighbors@Hawkins program that we have been working on for the past five years.  It was an amazing night and we wanted to thank everyone that helped make it happen. We look forward to the next 5 being as great as the first 5!  ** Visit our podcast page to listen to the podcast from the night. 8/27/12

Simply Following Together - Your Ekklesia Story part 4

We are continuing to share your Ekklesia Stories as we move towards this Sunday's Service at Hawkins Elementary school to celebrate our 5th year as a community.  We will meet at 5:30 Sunday night in the cafeteria at Hawkins Elementary, and we hope to see you there!

Here are two stories for you today.  The first is from Michael Hutchinson, former resident of Hattiesburg, who recently planted a church on the coast.  The second is from Mrs. Cheryl Outlaw who works at Hawkins Elementary school where we have been serving for 5 years.

I have only visited Ekklesia a few times. I was inspired to start a new church with many of the concepts I learned by participating in your public meetings and talking with Michael. Saint Martin Baptist Fellowship in Gulfport is up and going and our emphasis is on forming disciples of Christ. We have no building, no committees, a structure that always serves ministry. Our public meetings are more 'coast' in their form. We have a core group that is so serious about connecting closer to God. Thank you Ekklesia.

- Michael Hutchinson

I think back from previous years when we were here at Hawkins without tutors, volunteers, and thinking what did we do wrong for the general public to shun us.  I would call businesses around town and ask if they would adopt our school and the reply was always the same, we have already adopted a school.  Then, one day God called Mrs. Margie Willis (along with Dr. Annie Wimbish) to Hawkins Elementary School. Months later the faculty and staff was introduced to members from Ekklesia. Everybody on the staff was asking what is Ekklesia?  Then Sharon Miles stepped in and immediately we knew who and what Ekklesia was. She begin to work right away, getting volunteers and mentors.  Later, tutors were coming from USM and we joined in with Americorp.  I salute Ekklesia and all of the goals that you have accomplished not only at Hawkins but in the community as well.   

I remember the first time I met Rev. Mike.  I think I was having a bad day.  He entered the building that morning with a bright and charming smile.  I asked who is this man so happy on a Monday morning.  As I got to know him he was just like me a real person (not like other ministers I had known in the past).  I really enjoyed going to Court Street for service the first time.  I walked in the service and was greeted by Sharon, Margie and others.  I had on my Sunday Go To Meeting clothes and as the service begin, I looked at Rev. Mike as he begin to speak and something said look at his feet, he didn’t have on any shoes.  I didn’t know if the members were going to wash feet that day or maybe his feet were really hurting.

Then I met Toby, he would come to my office and we would talk politics, of course I disagreed with everything he said.  I still had a lot of fun with him; he is one of my favorite Ekklesian.

There are others I have come close to meeting and greeting on a daily basis.  Mr. Ron and his wife, Mrs. Debbie (she can really bake cookies). Jennifer Willis and Steve Willis along with others.

Thank you for all you do for Hawkins Elementary School.  I love you for what you do for children, I love you for what you do for the community, and I love you for what you do for me.  It has truly been a blessing for me to know each of you.

Thank you,

Cheryl Outlaw

Simply Following Together - Your Ekklesia Story part 3

We are continuing to share your Ekklesia Stories as we move towards this Sunday's Service at Hawkins Elementary school to celebrate our 5th year as a community.  We will meet at 5:30 Sunday night in the cafeteria at Hawkins Elementary, and we hope to see you there!

Here is the Ekklesia Story that our sister and friend Meredith Breckenridge English  (on the left) wrote:

"I remember joining in on some of the very first meetings when Ekklesia was just getting started. Since then, it has been exciting to see a group of people dedicated to seeking Christ and loving others rather than trying to fit into the "church" mold. Faith has always been a very important part of my life; however, I had given up on church until I started going to Ekklesia. It was refreshing and encouraging to find a group of people who could live in community, reach out to our larger community, and seek to follow Christ without agreeing on every social issue or fine theological point. The community groups and book studies that I participated in challenged and encouraged me. Neighbors at Hawkins showed me that a small group of dedicated people really can transform lives. When several Ekklesia friends stepped up to help with my wedding, I felt the true blessing of community. I no longer live in Hattiesburg, but I do follow the podcasts and certainly still "share life" with many of my Ekklesia friends, even from a distance. Ekklesia Hattiesburg has helped me understand "the body of Christ" in a whole new way and I am thankful!"

                       - Meredith Breckenridge English