During a time of extended fasting and praying, Pastor Parris was deeply impacted by what God spoke into his heart:
Cause my people to fall back into love with me, draw my healing presence through repentance so that I can heal, protect and provide for my people. Teach the pure simplicity of the truth of my word, heal the family structure, be fathers to the fatherless and turn the hearts of the fathers towards toward their children and the hearts of the children toward their fathers.
It was this call that God placed upon Pastor Parris that has transformed Agape Community Bible Church into a house of prayer and healing, centered around community transformation.
To accomplish such a great mission we are actively involved in these ministries in the community:
Homeless Ministry:
We have become an emergency shelter to those in need in times of emergency, or in times of extreme weather. We are able to provide meals and clothing and also minister to their spiritual needs by sharing the Love of Christ. We have been blessed to see some homeless people helped by our ministry get back on their feet and share their testimony with us. Jesus promised us that we would always have the poor with us (Mark 14:7), and we show God’s love whenever we get a chance.
Prison Ministry:
“I was in prison and you came to visit me … I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:36, 40”.
Many of the fathers coming out of the prison system in Houston, call Alief home. It is our goal to reach as many of these fathers as we can for Christ and set them on the path for Kingdom success. We partner with the UBA to teach this men to be organic church leaders. Men who are Pastors at their jobs, in their homes and in their communities. For more information in the great with that the UBA is doing in prison ministry, click here.
Youth Outreach:
Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him. A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. Psalms 68:4-5
Being a father to the fatherless is at the very heart of Jesus Christ. With the help of Child Evangelism Fellowship we have a thriving afterschool bible program where children are not only taught the great stories of the bible, but also character development and mentoring. Many of the children that come to this program from the local school hear and accept the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. For more information on C.E.F, please click here.
Our Boys and Girls purity programs are designed to teach what the bible says about sex and the importance and blessing in waiting until marriage. The children are taken through 2 1/2 days of training by various speakers, participate in role plays and write their purity vows. On the last day, they read their purity vow to their Father (for girls) or Mother (for boys) and are given a purity ring to wear until removed by their spouse.
Pastor Parris also personally mentors and spends time with the at risk children at 2 different Alief ISD schools, teaching character development and counseling them through anger management issues. Many of these children now effectually call Pastor Parris, “Dad, or Pops”
There are many other ministry opportunities that we are asking the Lord for favor to help us start. If you are interested in joining or volunteering , please contact us and let us know by clicking here. Consider these words from Jesus:
The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. Matthew 9:37-38
We are praying for Laborers to help us, could you be one?