Overland Mission Locations
2007-2008 Overland White Cross Recipients

Below is a listing of the 2007-2008 Overland White Cross recipients. Also listed is a brief explanation of their ministry. When available, Web links are provided. Click on the name of the recipient to visit its Web site.

ALASKAN MINISTRIES

Alaska Children's Services provides residential treatment for youth who have emotional and behavioral handicaps so severe that their needs cannot be met in their own homes or in foster care. Through love and compassionate training, troubled youngsters learn how to live in harmony with others so they can return to family living.

Camp Woody is located on Woody Island, where the first American Baptist mission in Alaska was founded in 1893. The camp offers hiking, adventure-based programming, and camps with daily Bible study.

Located in a small fishing village, the Cordova Community Christian Center serves as a witness to God's love. With the help of volunteers from the "lower 48," the Center provides alternatives to drinking and drugs. Good News Kids, Kids of the Kingdom, and the Home Port are vital parts of the Center's ministry.

Established in 1893, Kodiak Baptist Mission (KBM) seeks to improve the quality of life for children and their families by following Jesus' example. KBM maintains a residential program for youth, ages 10-18. The Christian Activities Center offers after-school programs, plus a 4-H horse program and "Project Adventure" rope course.

HISPANIC AND PUERTO RICO MINISTRIES

Since 1974 Iglesia Hispana El Calvario has been providing the Hispanic community of Rhode Island with a ministry rich in tradition. With the help of White Cross gifts, the congregation continues to support the ministries of Christian education and social outreach.

Operating as a distribution center of White Cross donations to the churches in the central region of Puerto Rico, Primera Iglesia Bautista disseminates the White Cross gifts received to the 20 small rural churches and mission outstations within the region.

Primera Iglesia Bautista De Puerto Nuevo serves many on the island of Puerto Rico by helping families and children sometimes left behind by society as well as communities suffering from the aftermath of flooding and hurricanes.

RACETRACK MINISTRIES

During the year, approximately 1,000 people work taking care of the horses on the "back side" of the Philadelphia Park Race Track, with some 200 of them living in on-site dormitories. White Cross is utilized through the ministry of the race track chaplain in worship services and social outreach ministries.

White Cross is a valued and much needed resource in the work of the Race Track chaplain on the "back side" of Thistledown Race Track. The "back side" is home to some 400 workers. There they are welcomed to participate in worship services and Bible study as well as outreach ministries.

NEW CHURCH PLANTING

Meeting in the building of Church of the Master, Iglesia la Esperanza is an inner city church doing community outreach ministries since 1999. Currently, the church provides English as a Second Language classes, a monthly feeding program, computer classes and Vacation Bible School and Sunday school.

CARING MINISTRIES

Since 1879, Baptist Children's Services has been providing a variety of services for teenagers in need. Through group homes and emergency shelters, Baptist Children's Services provides a continuum of care for teenagers at risk in southeastern Pennsylvania. They create opportunities to improve lives through guidance, love, education and positive role modeling.

Rainbow Acres, Camp Verde, Arizona

Rainbow Acres is a unique Christian community dedicated to helping mentally disabled adults (called Ranchers). The community provides a safe, Christian environment where Ranchers learn to grow mentally, physically, socially, vocationally and spiritually. Ranchers are supervised within the community by an able staff, which assists on a daily basis.

Church of Hope, Pierre, South Dakota

Church of Hope is a fully recognized American Baptist congregation within the walls of the South Dakota Women's Prison. In addition to ongoing witness to other inmates, the church provides regular access to biblical teaching, pastoral care and fellowship with sister Christians.

NEIGHBORHOOD ACTION PROGRAMS

The primary goals of the Anadarko Christian Center are to help persons find a personal relationship with Jesus and then to understand themselves and their abilities in light of their commitment. Ministries include Vacation Bible Schools, a multi-cultural youth camp, nursing home visits by youth, and recreational activities.

Baptist Social Service Center, Los Angeles, California

The Baptist Social Service Center finds resources to help churches develop programs that meet needs in their communities. An annual marathon raises funds for mission that includes emergency food, Christmas baskets for families in need, 500 toys at Christmas, seminars for immigrants, and family counseling.

Bethel Neighborhood Center, Kansas City, Kansas

Since 1911, Bethel Neighborhood Center has kept pace with the changing needs of the community. Ministries include a summer program for children, after-school clubs for teens, senior citizen activities, a Thrift Store with clothing and household articles, and the Bethel Center Church worship and Bible study.

Cameron Community Ministries, Rochester, New York

Cameron Community Ministries reaches out in a variety of ways to meet the needs of the surrounding community. Mission programs include Kids Cafe, Sunday Celebration, Reading Partners, Lunch Time Listeners, job training and crisis intervention. The Christian center is related to National Ministries' Neighborhood Action Program.

Corporacion Milagros del Amor, Caguas, Puerto Rico

Birthed in 1992 out of the Social Action Board of First Baptist Church of Caguas, Corporacion Milagros del Amor (Love's Miracles Corporation) seeks to improve the quality of life for the residents of Caguas and nearby towns through activities, programs and projects based on the Scripture.

Curtis Park Community Center, Denver, Colorado

Established in 1966, Curtis Park Community Center offers a multi-faceted service to meet needs in nearby neighborhoods where gangs are active. Ministries include sports activities for teens, emergency clothing and food, the Computer Lab, and day care for children of families in homeless shelters.

Dayton Christian Center, Dayton, Ohio

Since 1919, Dayton Christian Center has offered hope to persons and families with special needs. Programs include preschool day care, after-school activities, sport teams for teens, Bible story hour, tutoring, game room activities, ceramics, workshops, career development and parent support groups.

Edna Martin Christian Center, Indianapolis, Indiana

"Where everybody is somebody and Jesus Christ is Lord." The mission of the Edna Martin Christian Center is to move people and communities from hopelessness to a vision of hope. Personal ministries include after-school, teen and senior citizen programs, housing rehabilitation, and emergency food assistance.

Friendship House of Christian Service, Billings, Montana

Since 1957, Friendship House has been responding to needs in Billings Southside. Regular programs include sewing classes, counseling, tutoring for children, used clothing shop, parenting classes, after-school Latch Key, and activities to address adequate housing and neighborhood cleanup.

Friendship House, Hamtramck, Michigan

Started in 1929, the guiding premise of Friendship House has been God's concern for the total person. The Center's many-faceted ministry includes day care, preschool, kindergarten, latchkey program, Neighborhood FUN Nights in summer, adult basic education, "Young at Heart" Group, and The Family Shop.

Friendship House, Peoria, Illinois

As a mission agency, Friendship House seeks to serve in ways that express Christ's ministry. A wide variety of programs includes religious education for children and adults, special worship services, family counseling, emergency services of food and clothing, tutoring, and recreational activities for all ages.

Milwaukee Christian Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Based on our belief that all people have inherent worth and deserve to be treated with compassion and respect, the Milwaukee Christian Center (MCC) exists to offer hope through supportive services to low-income individuals and families living in Milwaukee's South Side. Since 1921, MCC has responded to the ever changing needs of the community by providing a safe and nurturing environment to people of all cultures, faiths, and walks of life. MCC is a multi-faceted social service and neighborhood development agency dedicated to serving youth, families, and elderly through our emergency food pantry, youth programs at four sites, juvenile justice programs, senior adults program, Neighborhood Improvement Project, and Youthbuild program.

Neighborhood Ministries, Youngstown, Ohio

"Seeking to honor, serve and glorify God," Neighborhood Ministries focuses on children living in the Kirwan and Kimmel Brook Homes. Food for the soul is served with food for the body, encouraging young people to develop skills and a sense of self-worth. Girls and boys clubs provide Bible study plus recreation.

Rankin Christian Center, Rankin, Pennsylvania

Begun in 1904, Rankin Christian Center provides services to more than 4,000 people each year. The Center ministers to the whole person through family care, adult literacy program, family emergency services, after-school activities, Leaders of Tomorrow for young males, day camp, and summer recreation activities.

South Providence Neighborhood Ministries, Providence, Rhode Island

South Providence Neighborhood Ministries serves people from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds "in the spirit of Christ." Emergency food is distributed to 150 families a month, "English as a Second Language" is offered, and 1,500 children in need receive clothing and toys through Santa's Workshop.

The Place, Norwich, New York

The Place began in 1982 as an outreach project of First Baptist Church. Programs include a Study Center with computers and homework assistance, the Drop-In Center with games, music and food, the Family Counseling Program, a self-defense and karate program, and referral services.

United Christian Center (Broderick Christian Center and Robertson Adult Day Health Care Center) West Sacramento, California

The Broderick Christian Center provides an atmosphere of caring, dignity and empowerment. Ministries include a Child Development Program, transportation to a sheltered workshop for mentally handicapped clients, transitional housing for homeless families, and services for Soviet refugees. The Robertson Adult Day Health Care Center is a community-based health program helps frail elderly persons achieve optimum health and daily living skills so they can remain in their own community.

Valley Christian Centers, Phoenix, Arizona

Founded in 1919, Valley Christian Centers serves nearby communities with more than 15 spiritual, recreational and educational programs. After-school and summer day camps offer kids alternatives to gang activity. Programs include job skill training, Bible study, hot meals, organized sports, and the Computer Lab.

Weirton Christian Center, Weirton, West Virginia

For more than 70 years, people with serious problems have found love at the Weirton Christian Center. More than 300 people each year participate in programs, which include pre-school for 4-year-olds and after-school activities for children aged 5-12, family counseling, used clothing, and emergency aid.

INDIAN MINISTRIES

Bacavi Community Church is a little church on the Hopi Indian Reservation located in the northeast part of Arizona. Sitting on top of Third Mesa at an elevation of 6500 feet, more than 100 miles from the closest store, Bacavi services families in the area with Sunday school and worship services as well as after school programs and a ministry to those dealing with addictions or abuse.

Brown Indian American Baptist Church, Walters, Oklahoma

First Apache Indian American Baptist Church, Anadarko, Oklahoma
Working with the Apache and Wichita communities of Anadarko, First Apache Indian American Baptist Church shares White Cross gifts with those in need and provides gifts during the holiday season.

First Crow Indian Baptist Church, Lodge Grass, Montana

Located on the Crow Indian Reservation in Southeastern Montana, First Crow Indian Baptist Church shares the love of others through the White Cross gifts received, especially through the baby layette ministry.

irst Mesa Baptist Church, Polacca, Arizona

AlFso located on the Hopi Reservation, First Mesa Baptist Church sits at the foot of First Mesa. The sewing rooms and White Cross rooms continue to grow and to provide a way for those in the church to produce needed garments and quilts for their families.

Hopi Mission School, Kykotsmovi, Arizona

Hopi Mission School is a yoked ministry of American Baptist Churches and the Mennonite Church. The only Christian school on the Hopi Reservation, the school offers a well-rounded spiritual and academic program for Native American Indian children, and encourages them to cherish their Hopi heritage.

All-Tribes Community Church of Geary, Geary, Oklahoma

Stepping into the circle, All-Tribes Community Church reaches out to those in the community through itsr circle of Brotherhood, men's ministries, Women's Ministries and the children's club.

Keams Canyon Community Church, Keams Canyon, Arizona

Murrow Indian Children's Home, Muskogee, Oklahoma

Since 1902, when two Indian tribes donated land for an orphanage, Murrow Indian Children's Home has provided loving care for hundreds of Native American children. Ministries include residential care, crisis care, and day care for children of teen mothers, who are in high school and attend parenting classes.

Navajo Ministries, Indian Wells, Arizona

Focusing ministry on those with special needs, Navajo Ministries utilizes White Cross gifts to make projects that can be used in the community or sold to generate opportunities and income that will strengthen and enhance their ministries.

Stewart Community Baptist Church, Carson City, Nevada

Watonga Indian Baptist Church, Watonga, Oklahoma

Wichita Community Church, Anadarko, Oklahoma

Focusing on community ministries, the Wichita Community Church holds a monthly community breakfast and is expanding with a food pantry ministry. Through White Cross gifts, the church is able to offer Youth Olympics, vacation Bible school and other programs to the Anadarko community.