What do bars, church and non-profits have in common? Well, on Wednesday, these three entities came together and congregated in Martini’s in downtown Mansfield to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters – a non-profit organization located in Mansfield.
The “Big & Beer Benefit” was sponsored by LIFE Church of Mansfield and one-hundred percent of the proceeds went to the organization. Tickets to the event cost 35 dollars and attendees were treated to locally grown and prepared foods and beer samples.
“It’s very rare for a group, let alone a church, to plan a whole event and give one-hundred percent of the proceeds,” commented Executive Director Jim Nicholson.
The Big & Beer Benefit packed tight the downtown bar, raising approximately $2,800. All of this money will go toward operating costs of Big Brothers Big Sisters, which is located in Mansfield’s Friendly House on Bowman Street.
Pastor Tim Campbell of LIFE Vineyard admitted this event is unusual. “It’s a little different to sponsor this sort of thing. But we got to be out there in the community. Jesus loves the orphans, so anything we can do to support that, we want in,” said Campbell.
Campbell went on to explain his vision for the church. The people have been meeting informally for close to two years in homes. Since last September, however, the church meets in two downtown homes in Mansfield. They meet in the homes every Sunday night for a “beer and bible night.”
“Our vision is to transform neighborhoods one house at a time. We want to make His word accessible to everyone,” explained Campbell. He explained this vision by quoting from John 1:14 from The Message Bible: “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood …”
Big Brother Big Sister is a national non-profit organization devoted to providing youth with a better childhood. They do this by corralling young volunteers to serve as a mentor to children between the ages of six and 16.
“Volunteers are a big need. They only need to devote four hours a month and they can do this in a number of ways,” said Nicholson.
For more information on Big Brother Big Sister of North Central Ohio, visit their website or call 419-525-4618. Also, if interested in plugging in to LIFE Vineyard Church of Mansfield, visit their Facebook page.
