OUTREACH
MINISTRY

“Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into the places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish. Compassion challenges us to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep with those in tears. Compassion requires us to be weak with the weak, vulnerable with the vulnerable, and powerless with the powerless. Compassion means full immersion in the condition of being human.”

– Henri J.M. Nouwen

REACHING OUR CITY

The outreach team at Good Shepherd desires to REACH our city through supporting local gospel centered non-profits, through organizing regular service opportunities for our congregation, and by encouraging members in their individual efforts.  It is our hope that by creating regular rhythms of service we are REFLECTING God's kingdom as we aim to know & love our neighbors (Matthew 22:39) and seek the welfare of our city (Jeremiah 29:7).  We desire to accomplish these goals by staying ROOTED in the gospel and by humbly submitting to Jesus. 

Events
Our Team

Our Daily Bread

On the third Wednesday of every month Good Shepherd prepares and serves a meal for those in need in our community through the ministry of Our Daily Bread.

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Normal Talk

Normal Talk exists to bring Athens together for healthy community discourse. Its purpose is to give folks with different backgrounds & belief systems an opportunity to discuss issues of our day in a safe and constructive environment.

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For two months at a time, we collect needed items in our Community Bins. We work with local gospel-centered nonprofits and ministries around Athens to support our community! Learn more about our Community Partners below.

Community Bins

  • January through February we collect the following items to help support Downtown Academy:

    • Granola/Protein Bars

    • Gummy Fruit Snacks

    • Breakfast Bars

    • Individual Popcorn Bags

    • Fruit/Veggie Squeeze Pouches

  • For further information on Downtown Academy and the work they do in the Athens community, check out their website!

  • July through August we collect the following items to help support Chosen for Life Ministries:

    • Children’s socks

    • Children’s underwear

    • Baby wipes

    • Hygiene products

  • For further information on Chosen for Life Ministries and the work they do in the Athens community, check out their website!

  • March through April we collect the following items to help support Athens Area Homeless Shelter:

    • High Efficiency Free & Clear Laundry Pods

    • Kids Cold & Allergy Medication

    • 30 Gallon Trash Bags

  • For further information on Athens Area Homeless Shelter and the work they do in the Athens community, check out their website!

  • September through October we collect the following items to help support The Sparrow’s Nest:

    • Men's and Women's Jeans & Joggers

    • Men's and Women's Hoodies & Jackets

    • Men's and Women's Underwear (New Only)

    • Sports Bras

    • Leggings

    • Men's and Women's Sneakers & closed-toed shoes

    • Socks

    • Belts

    • Bookbags

    • Sleeping bags

    • Blankets

    • Hygiene Products (New Only)

  • For further information on The Sparrow’s Nest and the work they do in the Athens community, check out their website!

  • May through June we collect the following items to help support Athens Area Food Bank:

    • Most Needed: Cereal Boxes 

    • Dried Rice 

    • Hamburger Helper 

    • Paper Bags  

  • For further information on Athens Area Emergency Food Bank and the work they do in the Athens community, check out their website!

  • November through December we collect the following items to help support New Life House of Hope:

    • Wash Cloths

    • Bars of Soap

    • Shampoo/Conditioner

    • Toothbrush/Toothpaste

    • Deodorant

    • Comb/Hair Brush

    • Disposable Razors

    • Fingernail Clippers

  • For further information on New Life House of Hope and the work they do in the Athens community, check out their website!

Upcoming Events

  • Holli Ratcliffe

    Outreach Ministry Team Leader

    Holli is a native of Mississippi who studied marketing and psychology at the University of MS. After college, she worked in retail, owning her own candy and ice cream store on the Oxford square for 10 years! In 2018 Holli's family moved to Athens and in 2021 they became members of Good Shepherd. Holli enjoys family time (especially cooking & game nights), getting to know others, and exploring new places. One piece of scripture that has been meaningful to her is Hebrews 10:24; Let us consider how to stir one another to love and good works.

    Email Holli

  • Olivia Potter

    Outreach Ministry Team Member

    Olivia grew up in Pennsylvania and attended Grove City College where she met her best buddy and longsuffering husband, Sam. She was a member of the Teach for America 2014 Corps and taught in Texas for several years before pursuing her graduate degree in Educational Technology & Library Science. In 2022, her family moved to Athens and the following year became members of Good Shepherd. Besides spending time with her family, Olivia loves to grow fruits and vegetables, volunteer with Books for Keeps, and cajole sweet Sam into DIY projects. Olivia and Sam have two children: Ezra and Jane.

    Email Olivia

  • Kelsey Saville

    Outreach Ministry Team Member

    Kelsey moved to Athens in 2020 to pursue her undergraduate degree in social work at UGA and never imagined it would become home. She is thankful to have found a community at Good Shepherd, where she has grown in her faith while building a life with her husband, Logan, and their cat, Ridley. Kelsey has since returned to UGA to pursue her master’s degree in public administration and works as a wedding coordinator while enjoying her free time volunteering, visiting coffee shops, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

    Email Kelsey

  • Jake Bennett

    Outreach Ministry Team Member

    Email Jake