Men of Promise plan to help those in need

BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

JACKSON - Congregants of the Hope of Glory Worship Center will soon be cleaning the yards of widows and single mothers.

"There are so many reasons why nations, societies and families fail," said Christopher Soleberry, pastor. "One common cause would be no strong leadership present in the home."

Soleberry said divorce results in families being shattered and said this is evident to him when he sees more women and single moms coming through the church doors than men and single fathers.

"The women who come are often hurt, angry and have great disappointment in men," Soleberry said. "They have been lied to, cheated on, and in some cases abused."

For this reason the Hope of Glory Worship Center has created a new arm in its ministry called Men of Promise.

The mission of Men of Promise is to bring back the trust in men by having them demonstrate honor and integrity to the community through fellowship with one another, mentoring young men and putting their hands to use by helping those who do not currently have a "man of promise" at home, the pastor said.

"After reviewing the census data for Jackson, we found there are a large number of single mothers and widows living here," Soleberry said. "To assist them, we are offering free spring cleanup yard services to anyone in need."

Men from the Hope of Glory Worship Center will provide light yard cleaning and grass cutting. After the yard has been cleaned, the Hope of Glory Worship Center will work with local landscapers who have shown an interest in subsidizing grass cutting for the rest of the 2007 season. Free yard services will begin on July 14.

"We are putting out a clarion call to all men who want to assist us in cleaning the yards," Soleberry said. "I want to make it clear that this is not a church function. This is simply an opportunity for men to come together with something in common and pour back into the lives of the widows and single moms. This will be a good opportunity for men to meet and share, but also for fathers to demonstrate honor to their sons and daughters."

After assisting widows and single mothers, the outreach may eventually be expanded to cover the elderly and disabled.

Those who wish to have their yard cleaned or to see if they qualify for subsidized grass cutting will have to go to the church's Internet Web site at www.thehopeofglory.org and complete an application for service.

Any men who wish to participate in yard cleaning must go to the same Web site and complete an application to serve. Local landscapers, cleaners and other contractors who wish to participate by subsidizing grass cutting or offering other services can go to the Web site and complete an application to subsidize the effort.