The goal for Heritage’s Local Missions is to develop serving opportunities for a suburban church to show compassion, develop justice and practice humility with the poor, the suffering and the needy in central Ohio. We are connected with ministries and outreaches that are leaders in sharing the good news in some of the most challenging areas of our society.
The information on this page lists the partnerships we are developing. For more details about getting yourself or your lifegroup involved contact the name listed with the ministry or contact Wayne Benson, Local Missions Coordinator 614.898.9412 x617.
SOMA! Tutoring - Become a Reading Buddy at Linden Elementary School. This is an opportunity for you to read with a 2nd or 3rd grader for an hour a week in a one-on-one format. Tutoring days are Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Training is provided. Volunteers commit to serve for the school year. Click here for more details or Contact Carinne Blackwell at cblack9874@gmail.com or Richard Johnson at rinfo@sanctuarycolumbus.com.
WARM - Westerville Area Resource Ministry. WARM works with families who are on the economic and spiritual journey of self-sufficiency. Heritage volunteers are engaged with a variety of WARM program and services. They include:FEED - A choice food pantry, STOP - Steps to overcome poverty, and HOPE - assistance for the elderly and disabled clients. Our volunteers also help by organizing food drives and serving on WARM’s board. For more detail information, please contact Volunteer Leader, Patty Edwards at Patriciajedwards@gmail.com or Karen Stempko, WARM’s Volunteer Coordinator, at (614) 899-0196 / karan@warmwesterville.org.
Better Way Ministries is an inner city ministry serving the needs of the poor in the Short North. Heritage provides a monthly meal and fellowship the second Friday of each month. Volunteers prepare and serve meals to approximately 100 people and lead a time of spiritual community through singing and testimony. Contact Team Leaders, Alegria Calma at alegriac.calma@gmail.com or John Curfman jp.curfman@gmail.com.
YWCA Family Center cares for families in crisis with temporary living space and meals. Volunteers from Heritage provide breakfast for these families on the third Saturday of each month. Children are welcome and encouraged to serve with parents. Contact Tracie Bayer, Team Leader, at bayer_rn@yahoo.com.
Homeless - The Columbus Coalition for the Homeless publishes a list of homeless assistance programs and organizations in central Ohio. Prospective volunteers may pick up a copy at the Local Missions booth. If you’re interested in organizing an outreach to the homeless, please contact Wayne Benson. wbenson@heritagecc.org.
Sterling House of Westerville is an assisted living facility specializing in alzheimers and dementia. Volunteers hold Sunday worship services on the second and third Sindays of each month. The facility is located at Cooper Road. Children are welcome and encouraged to attend. For second Sundays, contact Team Leaders John and Lorene Leis at leisji@hotmail.com. For third Sundays, contact Team Leader Mike Durand at mikedurand@gmail.com.
Rahab’s Hideaway is a ministry whose mission is to provide reach and rescue services to victims of human trafficking. They help their clients to envision a positive and productive future.Their programs are designed to empower them to reach their goals while respecting their human dignity. Volunteer opportunities range from delivering gift bags to women on the street, counseling women who have come off of the streets, cooking meals throughout the week, and providing transportation to social services. Refer to the journal page for insight on how God has blessed this ministry. To connect with Rahab’s, please contact either, Audri Humphrey - Volunteer Leader at Audri Humphrey at audrihumphrey@gmail.com.
Breakthrough Prison Ministries ministers to men and women within the walls of the Ohio Reformatory System. Breakthrough Prison Ministries provides Biblical teaching and healing prayer to help incarcerated men and women break through the deep wounds that keep them in bondage so they can live freely in Christ. Contact Patti Hathaway for more information patti@thechangeagent.com
Sanctuary Columbus Church is a growing multiethnic community of people reconciling with God and one another in the Northland area. Their strategy is to worship together in a large group, share life in small groups, and renew the city through service to the Northland area. For more information contact Richard Johnson, Lead Pastor, at info@sanctuarycolumbus.com or via Twitter: @sanctuarycbus
Doma International’s Bloom House - Doma exists to redefine home for women and children whose lives have been marked by abuse, neglect, and injustice. Internationally, Doma’s outreach has connection points in Ethiopia, Uganda, Russia, and the Ukraine. Locally, Doma partners with Franklin County’s C.A.T.C.H. Court to provide spiritual and restorative services to women who have been arrested for prostitution or drug abuse. Doma’s Bloom House is a retreat home that shelters women in transition from incarceration to residential life. For information on how to connect with Doma, contact Volunteer Leader, Amy Buchan, at Babyface59@yahoo.com or Pastor Joel Esala at jesala@heritagecc.org.
Pregnancy Decision Health Center (PDHC) - PDHC provides counseling and support for alternatives to abortion in Central Ohio. Among their free services are pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, mentoring, nurturing support, linkage to community resources, education, post abortion support, material aid, and housing referrals for pregnant girls and women. They alsodo abstinence education in the community. Contact Volunteer Leader Joan Perez at jphomes@aol.com.
Please check out the Global Missions pages for local cross-cultural ministry opportunities.