We will be hosting the Cost of Poverty Experience (COPE) on Sunday afternoon, January 21, from 3pm-6pm. COPE is an immersive, experiential training that is designed to give participants a glimpse into the lives of low-income individuals and their families that are living in poverty.

The event is centered around a simulation in which you will take on the identity of an individual or family member living below the poverty line. You will face some of the challenges and decisions persons living in poverty encounter every day. For many participants, it is an eye-opening and heart-opening experience that reframes our understanding of living with poverty and how we can best serve the poor.

A central aspect of Jesus’ ministry in the Gospels was care for the poor. It has been such a joy over the last five-and-a-half years to see the ways in which Lakeside has reflected these same values in our ministry. You have donated your time, energy, and money to meet all sorts of needs - from food to school supplies to Christmas gifts to benevolence funds to beds and more! We also maintain partnerships with organizations like our local schools, the Picnic Project in downtown Sanford, and Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

We truly believe that the Holy Spirit will work through this event to speak into our lives and our ministry, help us see where we are serving well, and it may even plant new dreams or desires within us to make a difference.

Make plans to join us on Sunday, January 21, 2024, from 3pm-6pm. Both adults and youth (middle school and older) are invited participate in this free event, and we will have child care available for elementary age and younger.

To learn more about COPE, you can visit https://thinktank-inc.org/cope-faith.