As the Church grew in developing countries, the need for international relief activities increased, causing the Church to focus its community missions to domestic and international fields. As a result, SAWS expanded into a domestic and international Church-organized community program. In 1972, Adventist Community Services was officially titled the domestic humanitarian Church agency and in 1973, the international program was named the Seventh-day Adventist World Service, now known as the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) International.
Today, Adventist humanitarian work reaches into more than 120 countries and serves tens of millions of people every year. This priority springs from a deeply held belief in service. Throughout the Old Testament, God made provision for the poor and less fortunate living in Israel. In the New Testament, the writings of the apostle Paul show a Christian church that gave willingly and generously to support the needy among them. (Deuteronomy 15:1-11,2 Corinthians 8:8-15)
Our world is full of wars, natural disasters, poverty and famines, and we are motivated to reach out to the suffering in the name of Jesus. Our faith inspires us to show Christ’s love to the world around us. Faith expressed by action may require sacrifice, but it is only by selflessly serving others that we become a true reflection of Christ.
Our active faith is expressed personally in daily service to those around us and corporately in humanitarian organizations such as ADRA and Adventist Community Services (ACS). For Adventists, it is not enough to acknowledge that poverty exists. We must live a life in which the grace God has given us flows on to others in the form of love, care and generosity. (Matthew 25:31-45)
Here at Brooklyn Faith, we put forth our best efforts to attend to the needs of those around us. We believe that before we preach to the hungry man, we should feed him; before we teach the naked man, we should clothe him, and before we school the thirsty man, we should give him water to drink. Through the endeavors listed below, we operate weekly to assist our neighbors.
WHAT WE PROVIDE?
Disaster Response
For more than 100 years the Seventh-day Adventist Church has provided emergency relief in times of disaster. In 1969, Adventist Community Services became a charter member of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD). Since 1974, Adventist Community Services has operated in partnership with the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which recognizes Adventist Community Services as an established nonprofit disaster agency.
On a more local level, we engage in these three main weekly services, catering to individuals and families from within and around our community:
Food Pantry
We provide a variety of food items and supplies on a weekly basis. This service helps individuals and families to supplement the food shortage they may be facing in their homes. It is our aim that no persons coming to us will be left starving.
Clothing Drive
We give away slightly used and new clothing on a weekly basis. The clothing we offer is donated from individuals and organizations such as the Clothing Bank of New York City. We have baby, children, women, men, and elderly wear in a variety of sizes.
Soup Kitchen
We prepare and serve hot, balanced, healthy and flavorful meals on a weekly basis.
Free Tax preparation (seasonal)
Beginning in January and ending in April, we provide free Tax Preparation to low income individuals and families.
Health
We host classes that demonstrate hot to properly prepare food, and we give instruction on healthy living.
Referrals
If there is a service needed that we don’t have the capacity to provide, we can certainly point you in the right direction. These services might include GED preparation, which happens on premises; Immigration services, and job interview preparation.
Who Can You Contact?
DIRECTOR: Barbara Joseph
ASSISTANCE: Irma Reece & Garnett Burton
VOLUNTEERS: Gloria Pollydore, Leslie Morris, Gloria Anderson, Rita Curwen, Ryan Hicks, Timonthy Nicholls, Rita Anderson and countless other church and community members who freely donate their time and services to this great and rewarding work.
Where Can You Find Us?
Brooklyn Faith Seventh-day Adventist Church
5518 Church Ave,
Brooklyn, NY 11203
718-342-8421
Lower Auditorium
