By Carl Stagner

Over the years, First Church of God in Columbus, Ohio, has certainly established itself as a city of refuge, a hub of hope, and an essential ally to the community. Powerful preaching, dynamic worship, and extensive life-changing programming can’t be overlooked while surveying the season of flourishing in which the congregation presently celebrates Jesus. But it’s their recurring purpose and partnership put into their intentional influence across the ZIP code in which they’re located that recently reminded everyone again just how beautiful the advancement of the kingdom of God can be.

The ONE Community Extravaganza took place on the sprawling campus of First Church of God on Saturday, August 5—just in time for students and families readying themselves for the return of the school daze. 1,500 backpacks filled with school supplies were given away to students representing over 500 local families. First Church of God partnered with New Birth Christian Ministries and Hire and Turn to both meet the needs of their neighbors and empower underserved and underrepresented local business and entrepreneurs. The splash in social media and onsite proved big enough to capture the attention not only of families, but also the media.

Backpacks ready to be worn by the children of Columbus, Ohio!

Read the encouraging news coverage of the local ABC affiliate here: https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/central-ohio-students-receive-1600-backpacks-and-supplies-in-one-community-extravaganza.

On their Facebook page, First Church of God reflected on the “unforgettable” event in conjunction with the publication of a highlight video: “What an incredible event it was, a true testament to the greatness of our 43232 community! The synergy between First Church, New Birth Christian Ministries, along with the partnership with Hire and Turn, was nothing short of amazing, showcasing the power of unity and shared purpose! With hearts full of love for our community, we embarked on a mission to make a difference, and we did just that…bringing smiles and hope to countless young faces.”

In consideration of the motivation behind their massive ministry, the church responded on social media, “In all that we do, our driving force remains clear: All we do is for the kingdom of God! Every effort and collaboration is a reflection of our commitment to God’s work!”

Learn more about the Church of God movement at www.JesusIsTheSubject.org.