LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
PARIS — There are more than 16,000 people in Edgar County. Of the thousands of people in the area, hundreds struggle with addiction, disease, displacement, food insecurity and poverty. Dozens more struggle with depression, anxiety, mental illness and loneliness.
How can one group of a few hundred people create a positive change and lasting impact when the numbers are so large? According to Nate Alexander, the simplest way to create a difference is by getting involved and invested in the community.
In 2007, Alexander began ministering at Lake Ridge Christian Church (LRCC) in the children’s department. Seven years later, he stepped into the role of lead pastor.
“I’ve loved every minute of it,” he said. “You know, we have our ups and downs like any other church, but we just try to keep doing God’s work in this community.”
Armed with the belief that being present in a community is vital and a team of leaders he calls both supportive and passionate, it is no surprise that Alexander and LRCC were nominated as “Prairie Press Impact Makers” earlier this fall.
“Lake Ridge Christian Church has become a beacon of hope in this community, tirelessly extending its reach beyond spiritual guidance,” a nomination submitted to The Prairie Press reads. “From helping local collations with transportation to helping individuals find funds for unpaid bills. (They are) always looking for ways to help our community with open doors to anyone without any personal bias. Their selflessness truly deserves recognition for their unwavering service.”
“We just want to care for the community,” Alexander said in response to the nomination. “And, of course, we care because we want people to know about Jesus.”
Over the past few years, LRCC has taken an active role in Paris and Edgar County as a whole. Partnerships between the church and other groups include the Edgar County ROSC, Compassionate Clothing Closet of Edgar County, Faith in Action, Helping Hands Soup Kitchen and Christmas For Kids.
The church also makes a habit of sponsoring a host of local events like laundry days, collecting items for food banks, providing donations to non-profit organizations and supplying transportation in multiple scenarios.
One of the largest ways the church supports the community, according to the pastor, is with its Family Life Center. The campus hosts annual events like the teacher’s back-to-school breakfast, career fairs, car shows and Christmas gift-wrapping parties. It also opens its doors to monthly and weekly addiction recovery groups.
“Our facilities are a huge asset and so we’ve always said that we want the community to be able to use them … We open our facilities to whoever needs them in a way that benefits the community. We don’t see it as just ours. We see it as theirs,” Alexander said.
“Our community makes up our congregation,” the pastor explained. “The leadership (at the church) is always open to what we can do and they just try to put our church out there as much as they can, not that we need fame or anything, but it’s just that we try to be the light in the community.”
While speaking with a Prairie Press reporter about the “Impact Maker” nomination, Alexander emphasized that LRCC’s efforts are not a solo mission and that his church is not the only one passionate about pitching in and helping.
“I hope that we all do it, that we all help out, jointly, as in all the churches not in competition, but together just caring together,” he said. “We have our things, our niches, but hopefully we can collaborate and work together.”
For Alexander and the attendees of LRCC, being a part of the nitty-gritty work inside of the community is not an obligation or requirement for ministry. It’s a way of life – a Biblical principle they chose to mirror.
“Our faith is number one, but we’ve got to show people we care before they can really even consider what faith looks like,” Alexander said. “It’s not all about just giving that hand out either. Yes, we do some of that, but you know there’s always an intent to point them to Jesus … I think it speaks more than anything that if people know that you care then they will want to know why and learn what you are all about.”
“If we are not out in the community then we’re really not doing what we are (here) to do,” he said.
A belief Alexander holds revolves around the question “If you stopped existing would your community know it?” For him, the question serves as motivation for not only himself but also for his family and LRCC to continue existing and working inside the community, however and wherever possible.
“I don’t know who said it or where I saw it, but I think that it speaks volumes,” he explained. “We realize we can’t do everything within our walls. You know, that’s just not the way it works, we’ve gotta go out and be part of the community, that should motivate us to be as involved as possible.”
For those who are interested in joining LRCC or learning more about the missions they support, Alexander encourages individuals to stop by a Sunday service at 8 or 10:30 a.m. every Sunday. And, for those needing support or help from the church, the pastor said the doors are open and help can be found at the office, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday or 8 a.m. to noon on Fridays in addition to Sunday service times.
If you know a local person, group or organization enacting positive change in Edgar County, nominate them for a spot in The Prairie Press’ “Making an Impact” series. Check out the Prairie Press Facebook page for more information.