Greetings Ephesus Family and Spring Hope Community!
We all hope and pray that our lives will be full of joy and void of trouble. Sadly, we live in a fallen world where bad things can and will happen throughout our lives. None of us are immune to this truth. On Monday, September 27th, Scott and Connie Skinner witnessed this painful reality firsthand as their house caught fire. Thankfully, no one was injured and our skilled Spring Hope Fire Department responded quickly and eliminated the fire with minimal water damage. Unfortunately, the aftermath was a house that is heavily damaged by fire, heat, and especially smoke.
Now for most of us, we have homeowners insurance to kick in and help get us back on our feet during an event like this. Sadly, Scott and Connie had fallen on some difficult times financially and their insurance had lapsed. They are a caring, hard-working family who would do anything to help others, they are now in a difficult spot and need our help.
In the early days of the Christian Church, we read descriptions like Acts 2:44-45 (ESV),
"And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need."
The Church was known for taking care of their own. Scott and Connie are our own!
James, the step-brother of Jesus Christ, wrote in James 2:15-17 (ESV),
"If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled." without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
"Pastor Wayne, what are you getting at?"
What I am saying, asking, pleading with you, is that we as the Church and community that Scott and Connie Skinner are a part of need to come along side of them and help them to get back on their feet. Their need is great.
Spiritually, they are hurting and in shock, therefore they need our prayers, our encouragement, our kind words and thoughts, cards, texts, and calls. They need to feel an overflowing sense of love and support from all of us during this time. Imagine how you would feel if you were in their shoes.
Financially, they are in great need. There are going to be storage costs, clean-up costs, and repair costs involved, not to mention replacement costs for furniture and household items. I am asking all of you to consider how you can donate and help support them during this extreme difficulty.
At Ephesus Baptist Church, we have established a fund that will be used to pay for their repair expenses and the remainder of any funds collected, 100%, will be given to them to use to get back on their feet. You can donate to this fund in one of three ways:
Attend one of our worship services and place in our offering a check designated to "Love Offering - Skinner House Fire."
Visit our church website at https://ebcspringhope.com/give and be sure to change the fund from "General Fund" to "Love Offering - Skinner House Fire." Our online giving platform is handled by FaithLife Giving and is safe and secure.
You can mail us your check designated "Love Offering - Skinner House Fire" to
Ephesus Baptist Church
P.O. Box 489,
Spring Hope, NC 27882
Please consider how you can give financially to help the Skinner Family. Talk with your workplace, your church family, and / or other groups you are affiliated with and see if they would consider making a donation to help. Spread the word any way you can and help us care for the Skinner family.
Physically, you can help by providing the following:
Labor - (Contact one of us - Contact information is below).
Restaurant Gift Cards
Grocery Store Gift Cards
Gallons of Water
Water Bottles
Wet Wipes / Baby Wipes / Paper Towels
Trash Bags
Boxes or Plastic Storage Bins
Contact Information
Scott and Connie Skinner - 252.382.1478 - email: onnie1972@aol.com
Pastor Wayne Sullivan - 252.886.0634 - email: pastor.ephesusnc@gmail.com
As their pastor, I thank you in advance on behalf of the Skinner family and our church family, for all of your loving support in the days ahead. Please know that the greatest need is spiritual and financial. Please love on the Skinners and help them through this difficult season. There will be some work days scheduled in the future as well, so please keep an eye on our Facebook page. Please share this information with everyone you know. Together, as a community, we can help this family get back on their feet. Thank you again!
Urgent Need: Skinner House Fire
Greetings Ephesus Family and Spring Hope Community!
We all hope and pray that our lives will be full of joy and void of trouble. Sadly, we live in a fallen world where bad things can and will happen throughout our lives. None of us are immune to this truth. On Monday, September 27th, Scott and Connie Skinner witnessed this painful reality firsthand as their house caught fire. Thankfully, no one was injured and our skilled Spring Hope Fire Department responded quickly and eliminated the fire with minimal water damage. Unfortunately, the aftermath was a house that is heavily damaged by fire, heat, and especially smoke.
Now for most of us, we have homeowners insurance to kick in and help get us back on our feet during an event like this. Sadly, Scott and Connie had fallen on some difficult times financially and their insurance had lapsed. They are a caring, hard-working family who would do anything to help others, they are now in a difficult spot and need our help.
In the early days of the Christian Church, we read descriptions like Acts 2:44-45 (ESV),
"And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need."
The Church was known for taking care of their own. Scott and Connie are our own!
James, the step-brother of Jesus Christ, wrote in James 2:15-17 (ESV),
"If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled." without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
"Pastor Wayne, what are you getting at?"
What I am saying, asking, pleading with you, is that we as the Church and community that Scott and Connie Skinner are a part of need to come along side of them and help them to get back on their feet. Their need is great.
Spiritually, they are hurting and in shock, therefore they need our prayers, our encouragement, our kind words and thoughts, cards, texts, and calls. They need to feel an overflowing sense of love and support from all of us during this time. Imagine how you would feel if you were in their shoes.
Financially, they are in great need. There are going to be storage costs, clean-up costs, and repair costs involved, not to mention replacement costs for furniture and household items. I am asking all of you to consider how you can donate and help support them during this extreme difficulty.
At Ephesus Baptist Church, we have established a fund that will be used to pay for their repair expenses and the remainder of any funds collected, 100%, will be given to them to use to get back on their feet. You can donate to this fund in one of three ways:
Ephesus Baptist Church
P.O. Box 489,
Spring Hope, NC 27882
Please consider how you can give financially to help the Skinner Family. Talk with your workplace, your church family, and / or other groups you are affiliated with and see if they would consider making a donation to help. Spread the word any way you can and help us care for the Skinner family.
Physically, you can help by providing the following:
Contact Information
As their pastor, I thank you in advance on behalf of the Skinner family and our church family, for all of your loving support in the days ahead. Please know that the greatest need is spiritual and financial. Please love on the Skinners and help them through this difficult season. There will be some work days scheduled in the future as well, so please keep an eye on our Facebook page. Please share this information with everyone you know. Together, as a community, we can help this family get back on their feet. Thank you again!
Joyfully His,
Pastor Wayne Sullivan