Due to the great financial blessing the Lord had showered upon South Central, the Treasury Department in October 2020 came up with a plan to assist their struggling schools, churches, and members. It was quickly approved by the Executive Committee, and they called it Operation Impact.
With the help of appropriations from the Southern Union and the North American Division, South Central put together a stimulus program to provide assistance to its members in all five states: Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle. The assistance was organized into three general categories: school payroll, church assistance, and financial relief for church members.
South Central Church Schools
Because of God’s blessings, the Conference was able to pay the total amount of teacher salaries for four months instead of the usual two months. In total, the schools received in excess of $360,000 for the teacher salaries from the stimulus program. The money enabled schools to cope with the loss of tuition due to a decrease in overall enrollment.
South Central Churches
Operation Impact provided financial assistance with grants that churches could use for capital improvements, such as roof repair, HVAC repairs, restroom upgrades, and carpet cleaning. Churches could also use the funds to meet safety inspection standards. In addition, each church that applied received a $500 appropriation for technology assistance, a much-needed help in the growing reality of virtual worship. In total, South Central churches received improvement grants totaling more than $280,000.
South Central Members
Perhaps the most impactful and rewarding element of Operation Impact was in what the program was able to provide for individual church members and their families. Any member of a South Central Conference church that qualified, could receive help for mortgage assistance, rent assistance, utility bills, and grocery gift cards. Through this God-ordained program, 440 families were blessed with financial aid at a critical time when they needed it most. In total, the families of South Central received $99,896.20 through the Operation Impact program. In total, for the schools, churches, and families, Operation Impact awarded more than $669,000 in grants. To God be the glory!
This year, the Conference looks to repeat this program in some form, as the financial effects of COVID-19 continue to impact the members. They look to God for His continued guidance and provision as South Central administration partner with Him in taking care of each other through the covenant of sacrifice.
South Central | May 2021
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