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Community Impact:
A.C.T.S. is a ministry of Autumn Ridge Church in Rochester, Minnesota. We exist to serve others and share God’s love in our community and around the country.
We believe that God calls us to love others through actions, not just words. Jesus showed us by example that loving someone means serving them; helping out when you see a need.
At A.C.T.S., we seek to serve our community in any way we can, from partnerships with para-church ministries, home repair ministry, emergency relief teams, kitchen ministries, school mentorship program and more, we are trying to meet the needs we see in the lives of people around us.
“If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it, but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.”
1 Corinthians 13.
ACTS 4 Kids
ACTS 4 Kids is a program of Olmsted Outreach to our local school partners to provide for the physical, academic and spiritual needs of children. Current initiatives include:
Go to the Minnesota Public Radio story about providing food for local school children.
Food 4 Friends: provides backpacks of supplemental food for children that are likely missing meals over the weekend. Contact: Sue Robinson, robinson.sue[at]aridge.org.
Shop 4 Kids: provides a network of volunteers to shop for the physical needs of children as identified by their teachers. Contact: Jeannie Poterucha, poterucha.jeanne[at]mayo.edu.
Tutors 4 Friends: provides assistance with: tutoring, homework help, recess activities, or gardening at the school. Contact: Michelle Johnson, michellej[at]aridge.org.
CareFest
CareFest is a yearly service event that seeks to make Jesus’ caring presence known throughout Rochester. Last year, over 1500 volunteers served at over 60 sites including 18 schools, 20 parks, 17 homes, and other Rochester-based organizations. Some of the projects included cleaning schools and parks, in addition to power-washing, landscaping, and painting. Churches, individuals, and businesses have generously donated services, supplies, and funds for the CareFest projects. For more information, visit www.RochesterCareFest.org or contact David Chan, chanman@gmail.com.
Community Food Response
Community Food Response, Inc., is a non-profit organization founded in 1993 to provide families in need with a supplemental source of food. This program focuses on “rescuing” food from hospitals, hotels, restaurants, schools, grocery stores, and other resources, and getting it into the hands of individuals and families who need it. For more information, contact Christine Beech.
IN HIS NAME Food Distribution
Providing food in the name of Jesus Christ to those in need! In His Name is a cooperative effort of Rochester area churches that provides high-quality surplus food to those in need. Each month, local Churches from the Rochester area cooperate together to supply the funding, pack the food, and distribute it to those in need. For more information, visit www.teamrochester.org/ihn.html or to volunteer contact Amy Swancutt at amswancutt[at]rochester.k12.mn.us.
Next Chapter Ministries
Next Chapter Ministries began when a volunteer started leading Bible studies in the Olmsted County Jail. From that beginning point, Next Chapter Ministries has now grown to include three residential aftercare homes, ministries to families of prisoners, programs for at-risk youth, and a neighborhood outreach for children. Next Chapter Ministries has a variety of volunteer opportunities available in the areas of Men’s Ministry, Women’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, and Children’s Ministry. For more information, visit www.NextChapterRochester.org or contact Melinda Fischer at office[at]NextChapterRochester.org.
Red Cross Emergency Teams
Every week, a home in our area is ravaged by fire. In the shock and confusion that follows, this ministry helps to rebuild lives. Autumn Ridge Church’s Shelter Team works with the American Red Cross to train volunteers to provide shelter and disaster relief to those affected by natural disasters such as fires, tornadoes, and floods. For more information, contact Scott Jones at RedCross[at]aridge.org or (507) 288-4405.
Salvation Army Evening Meals
Local volunteers prepare and host a community dinner every Monday and Friday night. The meal is served at 6:00 p.m. at 20 First Avenue NE. For more information on this program and to volunteer, contact the Salvation Army Social Services at (507) 288-3663.