BY: DANA POSTON HAWKES
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FINANCE/HUMAN RESOURCES
For over 20 years, our church has provided a Pumpkin Patch at the Basse Road campus. With 66,000 pounds of pumpkins delivered each season, it always provides a great place for everyone in the family to hand pick a variety of pumpkins, a fun place for children to run around and a beautiful setting for parents to take pictures of their little ones sitting amongst the pumpkins. However, the main benefit of the Pumpkin Patch is the revenue it generates for our outreach programs.
This year we generated over $15,000 in profit that we will use to help fund various outreach programs. In the past, the Pumpkin Patch profits have helped fund our Counseling program, Asbury Benevolence and Missions such as Border Ministries and Kairos.
The Pumpkin Patch attracts hundreds of area families and relies solely on volunteers to unload and set up the pumpkins plus work the countless hours of daily shifts for the month of October. All of this coordination of work has been graciously provided by Cathy & Charles Johnson.
The Johnson’s were new members when they took over this very important ministry. They have really enjoyed getting to know so many people at the church while working with all the volunteers and visitors of the patch. After three years, the Johnson’s are ready to pass the torch.
We are now looking for new leader/leaders to run the Pumpkin Patch. This is a wonderful way to get involved with a valuable ministry that only keeps you busy in October. The Johnson’s (and the church staff) will be around to provide as much direction as needed. If this is a ministry you feel called to lead, please contact Dana Hawkes.
AHUMC is very grateful for the Johnson’s service. Thank you, Cathy & Charles for making the Pumpkin Patch such a blessing for the people of our community!
