What One Church Is Doing to Reach Out in Troubled Times

by Shala LaTorraca ◊ Aug 20, 2010

Faith, Healing, and Deliverance Ministries (FHDM), a church in Hamden and a new member of The Hamden Chamber of Commerce, is working to reach out to the Town, especially in the midst of the hard times created by the current recession. Their motto is: “The Church with the Heartbeat of God!”

FHDM began in the basement of Sandra Jefferson’s home, their pastor, in September 2005, with eight to ten people. They began with a Sunday School, Bible Study, and Worship Service. People kept coming, so eventually they knew they had to find another venue.

After searching in Hamden and the surrounding towns, they relocated to their current address of 60 Connolly Parkway, Suite 5A, in Hamden, because they wanted to stay in the Town of Hamden. Originally, they just needed one suite at their location, but it soon became apparent that they should expand to their current two suite facility.

The first year there, they wanted to feed “anyone in need” for Thanksgiving. They ended up feeding roughly 250 people, and then were able to supply a food kitchen in New Haven with the leftovers.

One of the outreaches that FHDM currently has to benefit the community residents is a Food Pantry on the third Saturday of every month from 11am-Noon. FHDM has partnered with the Connecticut Food Bank in order to bring this ministry to the community. Anyone in need is welcome to benefit from both perishable and non-perishable items; all you need to do is bring a current ID. (You don’t have to be a member of the church.) Approximately 35 families have been helped each month, ranging in size from one person to eight persons.

In the future, the church wants to be able to do more by having a women’s shelter, daycare, school for grades K-8, teen center, substance rehabilitation program, soup kitchen, and men’s outreach program. Their desire is to play an active role in the community of Hamden, by addressing and meeting the needs of the community.

If you would like more information about Faith, Healing, and Deliverance Ministries, you are invited to a Friends & Family Day on Sunday, September 5, at 11:25am, at 60 Connolly Parkway, Suites 5A & 5B, in Hamden; a dinner will be served immedately after the service. Additionally, please feel free to visit them on the web at www.faithhealdel.org or call the church office at 203.288.0066.