COALITION OF MINISTERS TO DISPATCH TWO 18-WHEELERS TO

FEED 10,000 FAMILIES ON THE CITY’SWEST SIDE

Coalition of government, community, civic, business and church groups to unite to

 bring massive “Convoy of Hope” to North Lawndale neighborhood

CHICAGO – In an effort to help with soaring food prices and reduce hardship on Chicago families, a partnership between local churches, government agencies, community, business and civic groups will provide free groceries to more than 10,000 families in the city’s North Lawndale community during a one-day unique event on September 20 dubbed the “Convoy of Hope.” The action will happen on a 23-acre lot at Kostner and Roosevelt Road.

The “Convoy of Hope” consists of (2) two 18-wheeler semi tractor-trailers each bearing enough food supplies to feed more than 5,000 people. Though the event is being spearheaded by Rev. Dr. Ray Allen Berryhill, senior pastor, of Evangel World Outreach Center, 5100 W. Diversey, several leading West Side ministers, community activists, government officials and public policy leaders are uniting behind the massive effort to show “compassion in action,” as part of the minister’s call for Chicagoans to engage in random acts of kindness throughout the month of September.

“These are tough times for a lot of families stricken by high gas prices, rising food costs and threats to job security and housing through foreclosure,” said Dr. Berryhill. “In this season of community violence and economic insecurity, our impacted communities need to know there are people who care about them and are willing to lend a helping hand. The Convoy of Hope will be that helping hand in Lawndale.”

Added Rev. Ira Acree, pastor of Greater St. John Baptist Church: “This is a huge undertaking and we are excited about partnering with Evangel’s faith community. The West Side has never seen anything like this and I am sure the people of Lawndale will welcome the effort.”

The Convoy of Hope, run by 1,000-plus volunteers from area churches and businesses, will also include tents for a jobs fair, comprehensive health and dental screenings, free haircuts, a petting zoo, carnival rides, HIV/AIDS testing, and financial and spiritual counseling. Staging will also allow for a gospel concert featuring local choirs from throughout Chicago.

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CONVOY OF HOPE RELEASE

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Evangel World Outreach Center has sponsored the Convoy of Hope in Chicago three times. Because of the group’s previous success with the program and at the request of several leaders, this is the first time the effort is being hosted on the city’s West Side. It promises to be one of the largest such gatherings in the church’s history of offering the program.

“We won’t turn anyone away—our goal is to provide food for everyone both the physical and the spiritual,” Dr. Berryhill explained. “Chicago is the city of big shoulders and we want folk to know that our shoulders are big enough to help those in need. This is a great example of how Chicago really works for the good of all of its residents.”

What began as a German mission is today a thriving multicultural congregation representing more than 40 nationalities.  Thousands throughout Chicago were impacted when the church launched “40 Days of Blessing” an aggressive “Kindness Campaign,” two years ago. The campaign asked members to perform “random acts of kindness,” to strangers each week. This past Sunday, August 31, Dr. Berryhill issued a challenge to Chicagoans to engage in ‘random’ acts of kindness to combat violence and social apathy.

In addition to these random acts performed by individuals from the congregation, in the past the church also provided free gas, groceries, rent and utility payments, and other necessities for Chicagoland residents.  The group recently gained national attention when it hosted a “Day of Racial Healing” after the 2008 presidential contest heated up because IL Sen. Barack Obama’s former pastor Jeremiah Wright was accused of making racially charged comments in his sermons. Pastor Berryhill, who is African-American, asked Evangel parishioners of diverse ethnicities to volunteer and offer public apologies on behalf of their race in a sincere effort to promote racial healing.

Evangel World Outreach Center also gained headlines when it led “Unity Day,” a prayer vigil and community outreach in the wake of the murder of 18-year-old Ruben Ivy, a Crane High School student earlier this year. “We don’t believe the church should hide itself inside its doors,” Pastor Berryhill explained. “It’s time for the church to leave the building.  We should be visible, welcoming and active in all aspects of the community. Our neighborhoods should reflect the presence of God.”

This year’s “Convoy of Hope” participants include: Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois Department of Public Health, Mayors Office of Special Events, CAPS, Chicago Commission on Human Relations, Congressman Danny K. Davis, 24^th Ward Ald. Sharon Dixon, Rev. Charles Robinson, Rev. Wayne Gordon, Rev. Marshall Hatch, Rev. Johnnie Miller; Richard Nelson; Rev. Virgil Brackett, Rev. Ira Acree, Chicago Teen Challenge, Austin Community Ministries, Westside Ministers Coalition and others.  Participating houses of worship include United Baptist Church, Holy Starlight Church, Greater White Stone Church, New Home Baptist Church, Mount Vernon Church, Lawndale Christian Church, Saint Rest M.B. Church, Sunshine Baptist Church, New Landmark M.B. Church, Provision M.B. Church, Restoration M.B. Church, Shiloh M.B. Church, Heritage International, first Church of the Brethren, New Life Community Church, Christ Outreach Deliverance Center, Greater Galilee Church, Rhema Word Church, Stone Temple, St. James M.B. Church, New Rock of Ages M.B. Church, People’s Church of the Harvest, Original Greater Garfield M.B. Church, Corinthian Temple COGIC, Mars Hill Baptist Church, greater St. John Bible Church, Greater Open Door, Liberty Worship Center, New Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church, Christ Centered Ministries, Christian Love  M.B. Church and Life Changing Ministries.

{For more information on the September 20th Convoy of Hope event in Lawndale please contact Evangel World Outreach Center at 773-268-0767 )