Some Christians in Catoosa find sharing and caring one of Christ’s greatest missions.

“Isn’t it wonderful how God works, giving different ways for people to minister to one another,” said Ann Nix, director of Christ Chapel Share and Care Mission in Ringgold. “Several ministers came together from different denominations across the county to form the mission.”

September will mark the mission’s second year of service to area residents.

“Our food pantry many weeks serves from two to eight boxes of food a day to families in need,” Nix said. “In each box, there is a Bible. What each family does with it is up to them, but it is food for their soul.”

Twenty area church sponsors help to keep the food available for those in need. Each month each church com-mits to provide a different food or household staple.

“These folks have worked real hard,” said Pastor Bruce Sloan of First Baptist Church of Ringgold. “Pastors have been supportive of it, but it is primarily led by lay people. Pastors serve only as advisors when called upon.”

The seed began with a community-minded group from First Baptist Church of Ringgold.

“We had a group of ladies in our church that did this for years,” Sloan said. “It got to the point it was getting to be too much, so they decided it was time for the church to give some new direction to it. We pulled together a committee. They decided we should expand it and invite other folks in the community to help with it.”

The problem was we did not have a place to put it, he said.

Our church bought the building that Welcome Hill Baptist Church had for sell, Sloan said. “Then an invitation to other community churches was extended to build this ministry together. That’s how it started.”

Sloan feels that the mission provides a central referral place for those needing help.

“I think they are a great referral in our county,” he said. “We’ve had people call us for things here and we have had no idea what to do.”

Now, those requests go to the mission, and they just keep growing.

“May was our busiest month yet,” Nix said. “It is such a blessing to see the mission reaching out to people all over Catoosa County.”

In addition to providing food and clothing for the homeless and families facing high medical bills, lose their home in a fire or may be facing divorce or separation, they also help foster families — pretty much anyone with a legitimate need.

“They do a tremendous job helping foster families,” said Becky Parker, president of the Catoosa County Foster Parent Association. “They have supplied us with suitcases, toothpaste, diapers and food like milk and potatoes. Some of the families take the children down and get a couple of outfits of clothes for them as well.”

They are available when families often need items to start housekeeping again following a fire.

“This is a very heartbreaking time for them,” Nix said. ”The mission tries to help replace much of the need.”

The mission is operated solely by volunteers.

It shows you the heartbeat of our community,” Sloan said.

Nix credits all those who help to make their ministry a success.

“Thanks to all who give in helping make us a success,” she said. “But God is the head of it.”

Still, it is the donors who keep things coming in the mission.

“All those who donate clothing and household goods help keep us operating,” Nix said.

Some folks are bringing things that are beyond their usefulness.

“If it is past usable, please do not leave it at the mission,” Nix said. “We are limited on space and ways of getting these items to the dump.”

While they give away many of the donated clothes and household goods to needy families, the mission store is open to anyone and provides many items at low cost.

“Items we sell through the store help to pay our overhead,” Nix said. “We also have periodic yard sales when our storage area is dwindling.”

She feels many times people who might not come and ask for help on their own will come shop and get what they need at a reasonable price.

“They can come in and find a dress, a suit of clothes or some toys,” Nix said. “Almost anything that you can imagine can be found.”

The mission is also making a stand to help children in the community.

“There are lots of different-aged children in the neighborhood, so the mission started an after school program for them,” Nix said. “We hope the teaching and help will instill some good values in them for life. Many times you do not see the benefit, but showing love and giving guidance will plant some good as they grow.”

The mission is also looking for Boy Scout leaders.

“We are looking for three men to be leaders for a Boy Scout troop right now,” Nix said. “We are hoping this is another way that we can help children grow in the right direction instead of following a path that could cause trouble for them and the community.”

Pastor Sloan feels that part of the success comes from good leadership, not drawing any lines to exclude anyone in need and creating an environment which treats everyone equally.

Some groups like this immediately want to limit who they want to help, Sloan said. “It’s almost like they draw a big line around the community and say ‘This is who we are going to help and no one else.’ This ministry and the people leading it and working in it have been willing to help anyone in the community. People are helped but they do not feel like they are being looked down upon.”

Donations of food, clothing and household items are welcome. Volunteers are also needed. For more information about making donations, volunteering or receiving assistance, contact Ann Nix at 935-9045. The Christ Chapel Share and Care Mission thrift store is open to the public Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m