Koinonia Foundation

I have been encouraged by the Chairman and others to join the Board of Directors for the Koinonia Foundation. This foundation is an inter-denominational Christian agency that offers services, counseling, and referrals to the needy in a 5 zip code area of Northern Virginia, and has been doing so for over 40 years. Koinonia has a food pantry, a clothing closet, and offers limited financial assistance for things like rent, utilities, and prescription drugs. They also do special outreaches each year that include Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, food drives, and Christmas presents to needy children.

More recently, Koinonia has attempted to integrate a more well-rounded approach to serving the poor. In addition to focusingy on the kinds of tangible assistance mentioned above, they have begun to integrate equally essential intangibles such as financial and employment counseling that equips the poor with skills to help break free from ingrained dependency on social services to get by. They also Christian witness and community for those who desire it

Like many other charitable and ministry organizations these days, Koinonia faces significant budget challenges, as well as serious spatial challenges (their present facility is far too small to be able to offer the expansive outreach Koinonia believes it is called to, and which the community would no doubt benefit from). Those who have served in the trenches of mercy ministry far more than I have know all too well the almost constant difficulties and challenges that come with the territory of doing ministry along the breaking point of desperation and hopelessness in the lives of those created in God's image. The work is tough, and can be heartbreaking. But like many others who toil in this particular vineyard, Koinonia is doing good work and offering hope to those who most need it.

The Koinonia facility is located on Franconia Rd, just east of Franconia Elementary behind the parking lot of Franconia Methodist Church.

To those who live in this geographic area and are in need, please visit Koinonia. There's no shame in seeking assistance, and the volunteers at Koinonia are helpful, compassionate, and friendly.

To anyone regardless of geography who is not in need and is in a position to give, Koinonia could certainly use your support, both prayerful and financial. There are many very good ministries and organizations that one can donate their time and treasure as they feel led. Koinonia is not special in this regard. But it is a most worthy organization for those who feel led to partner with them in serving the poor. Might I ask anyone who reads this blog to prayerfully consider exploring how God might be leading you as you read this post.

I encourage everyone to visit Koinonia online to find out more about what the Foundation is doing, how they're doing it, what the community's needs are, and how you can either avail yourself of their services, or contribute to their work.

http://www.thekoinoniafoundation.org

Thanx!