- Budgetary Support
- Thanksgiving Offerings
- Grants
- Shepherd Church
This section coming soon. For immediate assistance please contact us at (318) 949-5500.
Each year at Thanksgiving Evergreen holds “A Special Offering for Special People.” These are the nearly 800 people served by Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries.
Churches in the South Louisiana Presbytery receive inserts and offering envelopes for their church bulletins. Last year’s story featured La. Rep. Taylor Townsend and Clay Stewart, a longtime member of the Evergreen family. Clay has now proudly resided in his own apartment in Natchitoches for the last four years, thanks to Evergreen’s support.
If not for Evergreen, Clay and hundreds of others would have a real concern for their day-to-day needs. Evergreen’s staff sees that Clay has the proper nutrition and other necessary supports. Clay even holds a job cutting grass and now purchases his own bus tickets when he wants to visit family in Gibsland, La., for special occasions.
“It is amazing what they can accomplish, despite unfortunate setbacks, and be a productive person if we take time to help them along,” says Townsend.
Your past gifts have enabled Evergreen to reach these special people, however, many are still in need of services in Louisiana. You are invited to visit any of our programs and see how your gifts are used and to meet the special, grateful people you help.
- Biedenharn Foundation, $5,000, annual fund
- Community Foundation of Shreveport-Bossier, $15,000 for eight-passenger van
- Thomas F. and Mayme P. Scott Foundation, $5,000, major gifts campaign
- Harris Foundation, $5,000, Client Needs Fund
- The Trull Foundation, $3,000, major gifts campaign
- Charles T. Beaird Foundation, $10,000, Buy-A-Home Fund
- Poindexter Foundation, $5,000, major gifts campaign
- Early Foundation, $10,000, major gifts campaign
- Willis-Knighton Medical System, $25,000, major gifts campaign
- First P.C. Dallas, $16,666, major gifts campaign
- Rosa Mae Griffin Foundation, $16,666, Buy-A-Home Fund
What is a Shepherd Church?
A Shepherd Church is one which commits itself to loving, involving and having fellowship with individuals with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities.
At Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, our goal is to provide the most "normal" and enriching lifestyle possible for individuals with disabilities. Shepherd Churches are vital to reaching this goal. What better way is there to involve individuals with developmental disabilities in society than through the local church?
What are the Benefits for the Local Church?
- Becoming brothers and sisters with individuals who may not previously have been part of the local congregation
- Expanded opportunities for supporting missions and ministry in their local community
- A chance to experience and share God’s love in a whole new way
- Occasions to develop new friendships
- Possibilities for sharing the gospel with a new group of people
What are the Benefits for the Individuals Served by Evergreen and Shepherd Churches?
- Learning about God’s plan for their lives
- Learning to serve God through the local church
- Becoming a part of a community of faith as a participating member
- Making new friends
- Building greater self-esteem
- Experiencing the benefit of worship within a congregation
How Do Shepherd Churches Do Their Part?
- Provide a loving, spiritual atmosphere where individuals with mental retardation or other disabilities may be nourished in Bible study and church fellowship
- Develop classes for Bible study for individuals within the church or within their homes
- Locate local churches for individuals whose church of choice may be another denomination
- Provide pastoral care for individuals in their homes or other settings in times of crisis
- Provide loving support for individuals who have no family at times such as holidays, birthdays and other special occasions
- Give prayer support for individuals and staff
- Offer opportunities for church members to be involved with residents of group homes or other support settings by developing active friendships between members of the congregation and indi- viduals with mental retardation. Activities may include sitting together in church, dining together, shopping, attending pizza parties, sporting events, concerts, movies and plays.
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