2022 HOMETOWN HEROES MAGAZINE

Page 20 2022 Hometown HEROES Magazine LINCOLN DAILY NEWS May / June 2022 Crawford said the goal of community outreach activities is to provide something fun and free for families, bringing the community together and making it stronger. To Crawford, Lincoln is a great place to live, work and raise a family. He loves Lincoln and is excited to be here. Crawford also wants to see everyone come to Christ. Currently, Crawford said it is a tough time for many in Lincoln. We want to minister to those facing challenges. One goal is to help people figure out the next step as they struggle and help them become who they were created by God to be. Crawford feels good things are yet to come. When everyone else is walking away, Crawford said the church needs to be there. People need us when they are hurting. Reaching out is critical. As a way to help reach those who may be struggling, Crawford said some in the congregation volunteer help at the Pregnancy Resource Center. Additionally, Crawford said the church does the baby bottle campaign to raise funds and some attend PRC’s annual fundraising banquet. Their Made With Love ministry is a sewing ministry. Crawford said those involved in this ministry have made things like dresses for kids in Haiti and the Dominican, mats for the homeless, blankets for the Pregnancy Resource Center. Several also made masks during the early part of the pandemic. When Heather Gaule and her family joined Open Arms about a year and half ago, one reason they were attracted to the church was the outreach done by Crawford and the church. Gaule said, “Even before we became members of Open Arms, the love they showed for the community was evident to us. From Fun Days to the Easter Egg Hunts and beyond, they truly care, and it showed.” Gaule also said, “When we started attending Open Arms, we were not only told that we were loved, but we felt it and knew it.” With the church growing so much, Gaule said, “I keep thinking back to 15 years ago and how Pastor Larry and his wife Pastor Wendy started out with just a few people. If you ask Pastor Larry about it, he will just tell you he was doing what God told him to do. Now 15 years Continue 8