Betty Jones, Ph.D., Donor

VOICE OF IMPACT

St. John’s Episcopal Church (SJEC) in Midland, Michigan, has a history of helping in developing countries, but has come to see that poverty has no boundaries. Therefore, the church has grown its partnership with Christian Appalachian Project through financial support and volunteer service.

“Generally, families in Midland are educated professionals who are economically secure. That doesn’t mean there are not needs in the community. However, very few of our church are aware of poverty like that which exists in Appalachia,” said Betty Jones, Ph.D., a member of SJEC and team coordinator of their trip to YouthFest, CAP’s alternative spring break program.

“Our partnership with CAP has broadened our perspectives of what poverty and need can look like; and sensitized us to see that poverty exists in our own country, and may be even near our own homes. Our Christian faith should lead us to respond as caring neighbors to those in need wherever they may live.” Since 2017, SJEC’s Endowment Committee has awarded two grants totaling $40,000 for CAP’s work in our Housing Program. In addition, the SJEC team presented a gift of $5,000 to CAP to help in expanding home repair projects in Appalachia. Betty, age 85, and her husband Preston, married for 62 years, are also personal donors to CAP.

As the team prepared to leave, a closing devotional given asked the volunteers to reflect on three imperatives illustrated in the Bible which can also serve as a guide for Christian life: pay attention, be astonished, and tell about it. Jones said her team paid attention to human need and joined with CAP and other partners to reach out to improve housing conditions in Appalachia; were astonished at the enormity of the need in Eastern Kentucky and the enormous response of Christian volunteers who annually participate in CAP’s housing projects, and have continued to share their experience from volunteering with CAP.

Our Christian faith should lead us to respond as caring neighbors to those in need wherever they may live.