Compassion Ministry
Our Compassion Ministry was created out of a belief that Jesus has directly called his followers to love and care for individuals in need. The Compassion Ministry seeks to provide ongoing outreach opportunities for the people of Maranatha to participate in so that they can be the hands and feet of Jesus to these individuals. Through this ministry, we are given opportunities as the body to step out in faith into uncomfortable spaces and be obedient to Christ's commands.
GET INVOLVED
Monthly Outreaches
Each month, we extend care and support to individuals in need throughout the Central Ohio area by serving meals and distributing essential items, including hygiene kits, food bags, and necessities such as socks. Donations are accepted year-round to support these efforts. Our monthly outreach events are scheduled through the Planning Center app. If you are interested in participating, please reach out directly to our Compassion Ministry leaders by clicking here.
Ongoing Needed Items:
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Granola bars
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Cereal bars
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Peanut butter/cheese crackers
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Raisins
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Capri-suns/Kool-aid pouches
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Water bottles
We will accept other food items, provided they are non-perishable and do not require refrigeration.
Toiletry Bag Items:
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Travel-sized toothpaste
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Travel-sized shampoo
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Soap
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Washcloths
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Floss
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Combs
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Wet wipes
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Lotion
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Socks
Items for Winter:
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Hats
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Gloves
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Gently used coats
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Boots/shoes
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Hand warmers
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Winter socks
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Bags
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Blankets
Foundation Dinners
On the third Saturday of every other month, we serve at a local soup kitchen in Lancaster from 3:30 to 5:00 PM. During this time, we provide a warm meal and fellowship to those in need. For this event we need four volunteers to assist with setup and meal service. If you are interested in serving, please reach out directly to our Compassion Ministry leaders by clicking here.
On the third Saturday of every other month, we serve at a local soup kitchen in Lancaster from 3:30 to 5:00 PM. During this time, we provide a warm meal and fellowship to those in need. For this event we need four volunteers to assist with setup and meal service. If you are interested in serving, please reach out directly to our Compassion Ministry leaders by clicking here.
On the third Saturday of every other month, we serve at a local soup kitchen in Lancaster from 3:30 to 5:00 PM. During this time, we provide a warm meal and fellowship to those in need. For this event we need four volunteers to assist with setup and meal service. If you are interested in serving, please reach out directly to our Compassion Ministry leaders by clicking here.
Outreach Ministries Partnership
Each month, Maranatha partners with Outreach Ministries—a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting men overcoming addiction and substance abuse—by collecting groceries to help meet their daily needs. The ministry is led by one of our members, Josh Clatty, who serves as Director.
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To participate, sign up through our SignUpGenius page, where you can select the grocery items they wish to contribute. Once items are selected, a pickup time will be coordinated. More details are available here.
Care Portal
We partner with CarePortal, a ministry of the Global Orphan Project, to serve vulnerable families right here in our local community—including Pickerington and Canal Winchester. CarePortal is a platform that connects churches with real-time, local needs submitted by child welfare agencies and community organizations. These needs often come from families who are on the brink of crisis—such as a single mother in need of a bed to keep her child at home, or a grandparent needing assistance with utility bills while caring for grandchildren.
When a request is submitted, it's shared with local churches who can choose to respond and meet the need. When someone from Maranatha responds to a physical need, we have the opportunity to deliver the item ourselves—creating a chance for personal connection and ministry.
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Ways You Can Get Involved:
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1. Become a Responder
Sign up to receive email notifications about current needs in our area. There are only a few requests each week, and there's no pressure to respond if you're unable. When you're able to help—whether by donating an item, giving financially, or referring someone who can—you simply click "I Can Help." If it’s a physical need, we’ll coordinate the details with you. Sign up here.
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2. Become a Connector
Help deliver donated items and build relationships with the families we serve. From time to time, we may need volunteers with a truck to help transport larger items. Sign up to be a connector here.
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3. Do Both!
Many of our volunteers choose to serve as both Responders and Connectors, helping to meet needs and make meaningful connections in our community.
To learn more about the CarePortal ministry, visit www.careportal.org.