Dallas Project Shares Love at Community Event

DALLAS – On Sabbath, Dec. 21, 2024, the Dallas Project Church hosted its “Community Engagement Day.” For weeks, dedicated members of the church had been praying, planning and preparing for this special event with a simple yet powerful goal: to serve and share the love of Christ with those in need. By the end of the day, 400 holiday food baskets had been distributed to underserved families in the Dallas community, but the impact reached far beyond what anyone could have imagined.

“Community Engagement Day” was created to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of the community. With rising food costs and financial pressures affecting many, the church saw an opportunity to bring hope during the holiday season. Church members rallied together to donate nonperishable food items and assemble the baskets. They canvassed neighborhoods, distributed flyers, promoted the event on local radio and spread the word via social media, where individuals could register to receive a food basket.

When Dec. 21 arrived, more than 1,000 individuals attended the worship service at the Dallas Project Church, including many community residents who had registered to receive food baskets. Following the service, 400 food baskets were distributed to community members.

For some, the holiday food baskets provided much-needed relief during a difficult season. One mother, who had recently lost her job, expressed her gratitude through tears. “I didn’t know how I was going to make Christmas happen for my kids,” she said. “This basket is an answer to prayer.”

For others, the day served as an important introduction to the church and its message of hope. Several community members have since begun regularly attending the Dallas Project Church and are currently taking Bible studies. Southwest Region Conference President and Dallas Project Church Pastor Carlton P. Byrd shared, “We want people to know that God’s love isn’t seasonal. It’s constant, and it’s for everyone. This community initiative was just one way to share that message.”

During the worship service, two members were recognized for their community involvement. Thirteen-year-old Orion Jean, known for his national kindness campaign and named Time magazine’s 2021 Kid of the Year, was honored. Judge Kim Bailey Phipps was also acknowledged for her recent election to the 162nd District Court in Dallas.

The impact of “Community Engagement Day” extended beyond food baskets. It was a day of connection, compassion and Christ-centered service. In a world where many feel unseen and unheard, 400 families were reminded that they are loved by their neighbors and by God.

For more information on Community Engagement Day, go online to  TheDallasProject.org.

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