Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 New International Version (NIV)
Congratulations to our new president, Bailley Schmidt, of the Pauls Valley Seventh Day Adventist church! Jeremy Clayton of the First Church of God is the new Vice-president. Claude Ledbetter of the Church of the Nazarene continues as our faithful, long-term treasurer.
Thanks, guys, for your service to this community. We are proud of you, and we know your congregations are, too!
M.A.Y. is the acronym for Ministerial Alliance Youth. The M.A.Y. Fund is supported by donations from Ministerial Alliance churches and its purpose is to help youth in Pauls Valley. We focus on two different ways to help.
Early in the school year we find out how many high school youth are either homeless or displaced by not living in their parental home. In December we give the high school counselor enough funds for each displaced child to have $50.00 at Christmas.
In the spring the money in the M.A.Y. fund is given as college scholarships. The students must apply through the high school counselor…the applications are reviewed by a pastoral committee which also decides who will receive them. The number of scholarships and the amount of them is determined by the amount of money in the fund at the time.
The Pauls Valley Ministerial Alliance partners with the City’s Recreation Department to make the egg hunt happen every spring. We fill hundreds of eggs to supplement what the recreation department buys so that there are plenty of eggs to hunt. Led by the First Church of God we also give out free hotdogs, chips and water to anyone and everyone after the egg hunt is over and the prizes have been awarded.
The first Thursday in May every year is the National Day of Prayer. The Ministerial Alliance has a brief praise and prayer time at Wacker Park in the evening for the community. Each participating pastor prays for one of the listed prayer needs: schools, medical community, government, churches, families, and the business community. Since it is held at the park everyone can bring lawn chairs and the service is completely non-denominational.
The Ministerial Alliance presents a Thanksgiving Service on the Sunday evening before Thanksgiving every year. One church volunteers to host the service but the speaker is always from another church. An offering is taken at the service. Past recipients include the Pauls Valley Samaritans, the Salvation Army, and the Ministerial Alliance Benevolent Fund. There is usually fellowship after the service.
On the last Sunday in September most Ministerial Alliance churches take up a special offering to benefit the Pauls Valley Samaritan food pantry. They also collect non-perishable food items and canned goods.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
The Gathering is a quarterly opportunity for the churches of Pauls Valley to come together and pray for our community. When the Ministerial Alliance began this service, there were no agendas in mind other than prayer, and this continues to be the focus. The services are held at alternating host churches that agree to provide around fifteen minutes of worship before prayer and a time of fellowship after the service. All pastors who are willing and in attendance are utilized during the time of reflection and prayer. The Ministerial Alliance believes and practices the truth of 2 Chronicles 7:14, which teaches that humble and united prayers are instrumental in receiving God’s healing and blessing. Therefore, we invite you to join us on the fifth Sunday at 6:00 p.m. for a time of united prayer.