. . .

Each year, Lifeline Ministries in Cedar Rapids, holds an Outreach called "Love Thy Neighbor" that provides free backpacks and school supplies for kids.  In August of 2021, Hope Christian Fellowship teamed up with Lifeline Ministries in this effort.  The unique thing about this is that Lifeline Ministries is a a predominantly African-American congregation while Hope Christian Fellowship is a predominantly Caucasian congregation.  Both Pastors realized there was something really special happening during this Outreach, and determined to combine the two congregations for this Outreach again in 2022.

Following the August Outreach, the entire congregation from Hope Christian Fellowship traveled to Lifeline Ministries church and held a combined service with Pastor Dave Doyle preaching.  A few weeks later the congregation from Lifeline Ministries traveled to Hope Christian Fellowship's church and held a combined service again with Pastor Tim Pridegon preaching. The friendships that have developed between the two congregations have proven to be absolutely invaluable and we believe this is what Jesus had in mind for His Church.     

 Both congregations look forward to continuing our joint efforts in many things in the future. We strongly urge every Christian congregation to consider doing this very thing with other congregations who come from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and faith traditions in order to break down the walls that sometimes keep Believers apart. If the Church is to stand united .... this is the type of effort that must be made.  We can attest it is well worth it and God will bless groups that choose to follow this path.