Church Job Fair Blesses Community

When a Kansas City, Missouri church planned a job fair recently, the turn-out was even better than anticipated, with 400 people seeking jobs and information on how to land them. The church put its money where it could do the most good for a great many by taking on all of the costs of the event, so that both the unemployed and the 45 companies seeking employees would not be burdened with fees.

They even provided a free lunch. Sometimes a free lunch really is free.

Northland Cathedral Church sponsored the Job Fair and Career Expo because it saw the need of the large number of people in the community hurt by downsizing and lay-offs. It had a large facility in which to hold the event, so the costs were principally in printing materials, electricity and clean-up, since volunteers handled organizing and setting up the event. People started showing up at 9 a.m. for the 10 a.m. event.

Along with seminars to teach various skills on how to land a job, the church emphasized volunteerism for those out of work, so that they can help themselves by helping others. Also, to help people network, they started a job club to assist and mentor people on the search for jobs.

This event was a real blessing for the people who attended and for those who set it up. At registration, attendees were asked if they had specific prayer requests. It was a chance to remind people to love their neighbors as they love themselves -- and to help themselves at the same time.

I read about the May 28th event on Breaking Christian News, which sends out a positive message on what's happening in the world to churches via the Internet. It's an example of how one church can make a real difference for its community.