Over 400 volunteers recently gathered in New York City and Jersey City, New Jersey, to distribute more than 9,600 coats as part of the largest-ever Coats for the City initiative since its inception in 2011.
The outreach event, which took place Dec. 1–2, saw teams from 32 churches across North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama partner with the New York Metropolitan Baptist Association to distribute coats at more than 30 distribution centers throughout the region.
In total, 16 churches from North Carolina sent teams to participate in the event, while many other churches collected coats prior to the weekend.
Right time, right moment
“(Members of our neighborhood) were begging us for jackets,” said Humberto Solis, pastor of Templo Evangelistico Bautista in Manhattan. “These jackets came at the right time, the right moment.”
Distribution took place on a Saturday morning, with volunteers passing out nearly all of the 9,600 coats within a matter of hours. At some distribution sites, the allotted coats were gone within 30 minutes.
At each distribution center, local pastors and church leaders used the opportunity to share the gospel and make lasting connections with their neighbors. Teams saw 17 people profess faith in Christ over the course of the event, with one North Carolina team even seeing professions of faith shortly after their arrival into New York on Wednesday.
“It was amazing, the movement of God during the time we were there,” said Rodney Baker, pastor of Grace in Willow Spring Church in North Carolina. “It was really exciting to see young adults (on our team) get involved … and seeing those that they were speaking to moved by the Holy Spirit, tears streaming down their face. It was very moving.”
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Samuel Heard and originally published by Biblical Recorder.
