Friendspeak is an opportunity to reach the world thru a mission field right outside our front door. International neighbors join us every Wednesday to improve their conversational English as we read and discuss stories from the Gospels. In this context, language skills improve, friendships are born, and faith is discussed openly. The result is a series of heart-felt conversations about faith, love, and the source of abundant life. We focus on three core principles: The Word is the teacher and we are the illustration; A friendly relationship is more productive than Teacher vs. Student; and Scripture is the basis for conversation.
Chilean Missions: Santiago, Chile
In the 1980’s, Southside was instrumental in the beginning of missions work in Chile through the work of Don Henson. Since 1992, we have supported Milton Munoz and recently started supporting Pedro Sanchez. These men have the heart of evangelists and their zeal is a gift from God and a blessing to those lost sheep in Chile.
Ronald McDonald House
Southside has been serving the Ronald McDonald House for several years. There are opportunities to cook/serve meals and provide welcome/holiday bags. We also have a weekly Bible study at the house on Wednesday evenings.
Baja Missions: Camalu, Baja California, Mexico
In 2004, Southside began work with Baja Missions, south of Ensanada. While there, a small group went to Camalu to explore the possibility of planting a new church. As a result, a team from Southside has returned each year to help assist the church by teaching, building, evangelizing, preparing food and serving medical needs.
Hope Lodge
On the campus of the University of Kentucky in 2007, the American Cancer Society built its 22nd Hope Lodge in the nation. Since the first day it opened, Southside has been there to serve. We provide meals to the guests each month as well as provide welcome bags and holiday bags. We also have a weekly Bible study at the Lodge on Wednesday evenings.
Susanna Homes: Nigeria
Chi Ekwenye, a native Nigerian, educated at the University of Georgia, followed a vision to help children in her native land to have an opportunity to grow with a home and family that loved them. Susanna Homes became a reality in October 1998 and Southside has been involved since 2000. Presently, 40 children are housed by Susanna Homes and in 2010 Southside started a dorm building project which should allow space for another 25 children.
Iglesia
Iglesia is a local outreach to the Hispanic population in Fayette County. They meet for worship at Southside at 10:30 AM on Sundays and other times during the week for Bible class and fellowship. Please contact the church office if you would like more information.
Philippine Missions: Cebu, Philippines
In 2004, Mark and Debbie Van Dyke left Southside to go to the Philippines on a temporary job assignment. They found immediate opportunities to help grow and strengthen the church in Cebu through the Cebu Bible College and church planting efforts. When the "temporary" job assignment was concluding, God led the VanDykes to request a permanent job and they have been blessing the Philippine people every since.
Habitat for Humanity
Every year Southside co-sponsors a Habitat build in the Lexington area. The build begins in early September and continues for about six Saturdays. Builders and meal preparers are needed. No construction experience is necessary.
School of Biblical Studies: Zagreb, Croatia
Since the late 1990’s, Tom and Sandra Sibley have headed the School of Biblical Studies, a training center for preachers. The school educates preachers/teachers to go out into Eastern Europe to spread the word of Christ. The school works in cooperation with Abilene Christian University.
Community Service Team
The service team gives Southside men an opportunity to serve “the least of these" (Mt. 25:34-40). Service projects are scheduled, the service team is notified, and members participate when available. Projects include painting, cleaning, moving, building, and various other kinds of manual labor.
Healing Hearts Ministry
The Healing Hearts ministry at Southside has made it a priority to care for and shelter those who are grieving by following them for a year after their loss. If you are experiencing sorrow in any life situation, we want to be there to support you and comfort you. Sometimes holidays or other days of significance in relationship to your loss can be the hardest days. If the Healing Hearts ministry can help you by encouraging and praying for you, please contact the church office. Feel free to ask for prayers and comfort for any situations in your life in which you feel the pain of loss.
Other Community Outreach
UK Children’s Hospital, Lexington Senior Center, Lexington Rescue Mission, Church Under the Bridge, Bluegrass Christian Camp, and Pine Meadows Health Care.
We hope to continue to find ways to better serve those we already know, while also finding new people to serve.