Enlarging our place: Empowering other’s in Jesus’ name

Sharon K. Williams, Nueva Vida Norristown New LifeIf you want to get in touch with the pure joy that comes with empowering others in Jesus’ name, watch Peggy Fajardo light up when she talks about The Benefit Bank.“People are so surprised that it’s free. Curious about our church, they start asking questions about our worship services and other activities.”The Benefit Bank is an online databank that assists low and moderate income households with submitting applications for various social services such as Medicaid (such as CHIP & AdultBasic), Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps), Prescription Assistance (PACE & PACE Net) and Property Tax/Rent Rebates for low income seniors and persons with disabilities. The Benefit Bank also files FAFSA college loan applications along with federal and state tax returns. Designed to bring people closer to stability and self-sufficiency, this free web-based system simplifies and centralizes the process of applying for many state and federal benefits.Peggy, the Administrator at Nueva Vida Norristown New Life (NVNNL), is one of five Benefit Bank counselors at NVNNL who offer this service to the Norristown community in Spanish and English.“People are so relieved to file their taxes in a timely and correct way, even if they must make a payment,” says Peggy. “Others appreciate the warm, confidential atmosphere of the church, where they are treated with dignity and not just as ‘the next’ in line. I feel like I am giving them a gift.”Peggy puts people at ease, playing Christian music softly in the background, and she invites them to join us for worship and Bible study. Sometimes she prays with persons as they share their struggles. A Benefit Bank client is now attending our congregation and another client, who is a regular attendee, has indicated her eagerness to become a member.The Benefit Bank is just one of the many ways NVNNL is “Enlarging Our Place In God’s World.” The thrust behind our $2 million capital campaign is a God-given vision to expand our intercultural, intergenerational ministries of justice, reconciliation, access and opportunity for transformation within and beyond our walls, and Kingdom entrepreneurship (income generation to support our ministries). After 10 years of full-capacity use of our facilities, the congregation was able to purchase New Life Plaza, an adjoining office building. New Life Plaza is now home to ASSETS Montco, a small business training program, The Benefit Bank and the church office.The Benefit Bank was one of the easiest parts of “Enlarging Our Place…” to start. With internet access, a printer and volunteers willing to serve as counselors, we were “good to go.”The building also holds the possibility of hosting counseling, financial and legal services for low to moderate-income families in our community. The campaign also includes exterior and interior renovations and repairs which are greatly needed to maintain our facilities as a welcoming place for all. Our immediate next steps are to lower the mortgage for New Life Plaza, install carpet and new air conditioning units, select members for our new ACTS 2 Community Development board, aquire materials and labor for various renovations, and raise undesignated gifts and pledges of support.As NVNNL enters our second year of the “Enlarging Our Place…” effort, we are in an unanticipated season of increased needs with diminished resources. After several years of over-the-budget giving, our growing congregation is now dealing with the economic fallout that is facing most non-profits and congregations.We are grateful to Franconia Conference congregations as well as businesses and indviduals connected with the Conference community who have walked with us thus far. We’re trusting God to open more doors.For more information on Nueva Vida Norristown New Life’s “Enlarging Our Place In God’s World” and it’s expanding ministries like The Benefit Bank visit norristownnewlife.com or contact Pastor Ertell Whigham at 484-322-0442 or Jim Williams at 610-277-1729.