By Scarlett Rigsby, Lawrenceville, Ga. | “Building relationships.” “No us and them.” “Meeting others where they are.” “It all counts”….these are statements frequently heard when the mission of Nothing but the Truth Ministry is explained.
I founded Nothing but the Truth as a charitable 501c3 in 2010 with the idea that it would seek to understand the needs of the community and then to mobilize ministry partners to meet those needs. What began as a small Bible study in a room of a local extended stay hotel has grown rapidly into a multi-faceted ministry. In 2013, the Nothing but the Truth’s Ministry Center opened its offices on Langley Drive near downtown Lawrenceville. It is centrally located near several low-income housing options.
Currently, the Weekend Food Bag ministry is serving over 650 children every week in 33 Gwinnett County schools. These elementary and middle school students have been identified by their school counselors as being in need of extra food on the weekends and during school holidays. An army of volunteers packs and delivers these bags every Thursday morning.
- Another ministry of our group is the Tuesday morning ESL (English as a Second Language) program. It is currently assisting over 40 individuals as they work to learn English. These adult students are motivated by their desire to help their children succeed in school and in other daily activities.
- A Homework Help Ministry on Monday nights assists children from a local mobile home park.
- “Life Conversation Groups” are held on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Participants and volunteers share a meal together before studying the Bible with their respective age groups.
I am blessed to have an unconventional ministry partner … a beautiful Golden Retriever named “Truth,” who weighs 72 pounds and will be seven years old in January. I’ve had Truth since she was eight weeks old. I had another Golden Retriever while working as a YMCA Program Director. I knew that a dog could help to break down barriers and begin conversations. Truth has been a part of many community activities including “Christmas in Dacula” and several summer Vacation Bible Schools. She has visited schools, nursing homes and churches to help spread the word, in her own way, about the needs in the community.
Recently we learned of a need for feminine products for girls in some of the local schools. Originally piloted in three schools by The Gwinnett Coalition, the “Swag Bag Project” is a “community ministry partnership providing access to feminine hygiene products and health information to middle and high school girls living in poverty in Gwinnett County.” Nothing but the Truth recently took over this program and has already expanded it to four additional schools.
Today, the Truth’s Place Ministry Center also houses Truth’s Community Clinic (www.truthsclinic.org). Formerly known as the Hebron Community Health Center, the clinic provides basic medical and dental care on a limited basis. The addition of the clinic has helped to truly make the ministry center a place that serves the entire person by meeting physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
Officers of the Nothing but the Truth include Tammy Lawwell of Buford, chair of the board; Carol Baker of Buford, secretary; and Teresa Welborn, of Bethlehem, treasurer.
Nothing but the Truth is always looking for ministry partners to join the team. Visit the website at www.nothingbutthetruth146.org or e-mail send an email at info@nothingbutthetruth.org to learn how you can be involved.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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