Mike Adkins, pastor of Grace Fellowship Church in Orlando, had more to offer than just Easter at Eola in downtown Orlando last Sunday morning.
Adkins and the Destiny Foundation founder Scott George came together and with the help of Publix, were able to donate 500 grocery bags to Orlando’s working poor (by which Adkins defined as a family of five that earns less than $25,000 a year). According to Adkins’s estimation, Central Florida has an estimate of 300-350,000 working poor and he decided to “meet a need that wasn’t being done.”
That need is being met here, as well as it is abroad.
Grace Fellowship and the Destiny Foundation also provide relief and assistance to the recovering nation of Rwanda. Known for the genocide that happened fourteen years ago, Adkins and George have stepped in to do their part. After seeing three children spend the day walking to a muddy river to drink from it, the two started projects that build wells that offer fresh drinking water. The wells are roughly a mile apart and Adkins said that because of them “the outbreaks of malaria, diarrhea, and other waterborn sicknesses has decreased significantly.”
But back at home, Adkins still has issues that he wants to address, one of which is dealing with the community’s children. Plans are being set for the Destiny Foundation to start a ministry for abused women that will provide safe houses for them as well as their children. Adkins also works with children by volunteering at local schools. The drives there also include giving away groceries.
Despite the church’s already donated $1.8 million to the foundation ($900,000 of which goes directly to the working poor), Grace lacks one essential thing—a building. As of right now, the church meets in an Adventist church downtown that they rent on Sundays. Expensive as it is, Adkins is determined to help the community first.
“Just wish you could do more of reaching a lot more people.” Adkins said. But he has seen his share of success stories. A family that used Destiny for a time to get back on their feet doubled back their money to the foundation. Other clients have been able to meet the one of the organization’s goals: finding jobs and being able to self-support again.
“Our goal is that people won’t need the Destiny Foundation. Some people see it as a hand out; it’s more of a hand up.” For more information about the Destiny Foundation and Grace Fellowship Church, visit www.battlepoverty.org and www.gogracefellowship.com.
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