Local WMS Missionary and God’s Directive
Pastor Debra A. Whitlock Lax
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
It fills a pastor’s soul to witness a member stepping out on faith and fulling God’s divine directive with compassion and a get-it-done willingness to serve God.
January 1, 2023, Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Sparks, Nevada, was blessed to worship the Lord using the Zoom online video platform; we were snowed in. Nevertheless, that did not stop dedicated members from attending church. God has a way when you are where you are supposed to be, of connecting God’s children for God’s divine purpose. Because we were online, Pastor Lerato Pisto of Ivory Park AME Church joined our service.
Following the service, Pastor Debra A. Whitlock-Lax asked Pastor Lerato to share about her ministry in Johannesburg, South Africa. Her testimony prompted Pastor Debra to ask if Rev. Lerato’s children needed warm hats. There was no hesitation. Yes! Pastor Pisto asked to receive 50 hats. Bethel Sparks will provide her with 100 hats. We expect to finish all the hats by March 10.
Pastor Lerato Pisto is traveling to California at the end of March; Bethel hopes to deliver them personally to her.
Missionary Cynthia Hunter agreed to lead, strategize, and implement the effort while working closely with PDebz. Sandy Bovee, Bethel’s Food Pantry leader and Stewardess agreed to help. Brother Marcus Montgomery and the Rev. Richard L. Lax also will be helping. In addition, Cynthia and PDebz met two individuals in the yarn store who, too, want to add their labor of love. Sunday, January 8, nine hats were completed – the first cycle done, and on to the next! So we are off to a great start. Missionary Hunter plans for her team to make nine hats every week for 11 weeks. March 19, 2023, is the target finish date.
Someone asked after church, why are we making hats for Africans? South Africa gets cold. Some cities get snow. What a blessing not to have to purchase a hat for your son or daughter. So, why not just buy some hats, box them up, and ship them to Pastor Pisto? There is something about giving gifts that your hands have made and prayed over. Yes, it would be easier to purchase and ship. However, the fun, fabulous fellowship, and the faith witnessed by God’s people fulfilling His commission to go to the utter parts of the world with the Gospel of compassion are invaluable.
We would love your involvement. Would you like to get involved? Make sure that you include your email address and cell phone so that you are kept in the loop regarding our progress.
Purchase yarn from Amazon and deliver it to Pastor Debra A. Whitlock Lax 3660 Shale Court
Reno, Nevada 89503.
Make a Financial Contribution to Purchase Yarn:
Givelify: Search for Bethel Sparks; Check/Cashier’s Check Payable to Bethel AME Church with Memo: Hats for Africa and mail to Bethel AME Church Attention: Pastor Debra A. Whitlock-Lax, 2655 N. Rock Blvd., Sparks, Nevada 89431
