Two replaced knees may keep her off her physical knees, but it doesn’t stop her prayers from reaching Jesus. What’s not to love about Sheila? God’s working on her and He’s sure creating something beautiful with this woman.

Sheila Parks does not let circumstances define her future, or the future of her community. She loves people and loves obedience to Jesus, even when it costs, or maybe she loves it more when it does cost. She’s radical for Jesus and a leader of Grace Klein Community.

Sheila became friends with Craig and Shannon Haskins (we will tell you about them later, more awesome people) through our food delivery ministry, maybe it’s been a few years now. She told them she had a dream to get her church involved in leading out a food distribution from their church, but she didn’t really know what to do. Shannon encouraged her to consider coordinating another food delivery weekend location for Grace Klein Community. She committed to leading her church in this amazing endeavor. Shannon and Craig walked beside her and encouraged her the whole way.

Other volunteers from Grace Klein Community prepare the 30 food boxes that Metro CME needs for their monthly delivery. Then, Sheila and volunteers from Metro CME come to the GKC office to collect the boxes and letters and take them to Metro CME for pickup. Every first Saturday, Metro CME loves the Ensley community well.

Sheila thought about a clothing giveaway and remembered the GKC Give and Take Room. She asked us for clothing they could give away one month as she knew the need was great. We were able to empty all our clothing bins and take them a trailer load, already sorted by size and ready to give away.

Then, Sheila thought about a Jazz Cafe night with a wide variety of musicians, vocalists and dancers. She asked friends to help and they hosted a lovely event that engaged the leadership of their young adults.

Don’t think she stops there! A family in her church had a fire loss and she came to fetch furniture and household items. And just last Sunday she recruited three young men to help retrieve furniture for another family in need. If she sees a need, she puts action to her faith.

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

– James 2:14-17

Oh, yes, Sheila Parks’ faith is very much alive as evidenced by her actions.

We also value the encouragement and prayer support she consistently gives our missionary, Natalie Spronk, from Kwathu Children’s Home. She will find her in the office to give her a “Sheila hug” and send out her grandkid, to grab her camera from the car, so she can document Natalie leading worship.

Her love, laughter and smiles are infectious. We are a better community with Sheila Parks.

Two replaced knees may keep her off her physical knees, but it doesn’t stop her prayers from reaching Jesus. What’s not to love about Sheila? God’s working on her and He’s sure creating something beautiful with this woman.

Sheila Parks does not let circumstances define her future, or the future of her community. She loves people and loves obedience to Jesus, even when it costs, or maybe she loves it more when it does cost. She’s radical for Jesus and a leader of Grace Klein Community.

Sheila became friends with Craig and Shannon Haskins (we will tell you about them later, more awesome people) through our food delivery ministry, maybe it’s been a few years now. She told them she had a dream to get her church involved in leading out a food distribution from their church, but she didn’t really know what to do. Shannon encouraged her to consider coordinating another food delivery weekend location for Grace Klein Community. She committed to leading her church in this amazing endeavor. Shannon and Craig walked beside her and encouraged her the whole way.

Other volunteers from Grace Klein Community prepare the 30 food boxes that Metro CME needs for their monthly delivery. Then, Sheila and volunteers from Metro CME come to the GKC office to collect the boxes and letters and take them to Metro CME for pickup. Every first Saturday, Metro CME loves the Ensley community well.

Sheila thought about a clothing giveaway and remembered the GKC Give and Take Room. She asked us for clothing they could give away one month as she knew the need was great. We were able to empty all our clothing bins and take them a trailer load, already sorted by size and ready to give away.

Then, Sheila thought about a Jazz Cafe night with a wide variety of musicians, vocalists and dancers. She asked friends to help and they hosted a lovely event that engaged the leadership of their young adults.

Don’t think she stops there! A family in her church had a fire loss and she came to fetch furniture and household items. And just last Sunday she recruited three young men to help retrieve furniture for another family in need. If she sees a need, she puts action to her faith.

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

– James 2:14-17

Oh, yes, Sheila Parks’ faith is very much alive as evidenced by her actions.

We also value the encouragement and prayer support she consistently gives our missionary, Natalie Spronk, from Kwathu Children’s Home. She will find her in the office to give her a “Sheila hug” and send out her grandkid, to grab her camera from the car, so she can document Natalie leading worship.

Her love, laughter and smiles are infectious. We are a better community with Sheila Parks.