Concord Church to distribute food packs to refugees in Charlotte

Members of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina pose for a group

 picture with this writer (clad in hoodie sweater). Flanking the group are 

Senior Pastor Terry Casino (extreme left) and Senior Pastor Ralph Garay 

(extreme right) .

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

The Concord International Church of North Carolina is scheduled to distribute 500 packed lunches and goodies to refugees in Charlotte on Nov. 23. 

Pastor Ralph Garay told Straight from the Carolinas that a member of their church would also distribute clothes and other goodies to the beneficiaries. The church is under the umbrella of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. 

He said the distribution of goods to the needy is one of the ways the congregation is celebrating its two year presence here at Tar Heels. 

The project is being done in partnership with the churches from Nepal, Lao/Thai, Burma, South Korea, Vietnam and Montagnard. 

“We want to reach out to them because we care,” Pastor Garay said, adding that is part of his church's core values. As Christians, Pastor Garay said a personal relationship with Christ helps you to reach out to those in need because one feels their pain.

He said the beneficiaries have yet to learn the country's system. Pastor Garay said they hope to make this a regular project. Senior Pastor Terry Casino, who's conducting a Bible study among members at the time of this interview, said he's excited about the project.