Mother Teresa said, "Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love." Walking through the doors of Changed 2 Ministries (C2M), I learned about a whole bunch of small things being done with great love. And not just with big love, but boundless joy.
C2M’s founder, Randy Richardson, shared with me a stack of adorable handwritten notes from children who attend C2M’s Friday evening Bible Club for kids.
Mirian wrote:
“Dear Randy,
You are the best person. You are an angel who helps us change our lives. You do many things for us like going to camp and having fun. Thank you.”
Richardson started C2M in 2008. One of its main outreaches is called Church on the Street. While driving through Canton, he noticed a group of men standing outside a gas station. He stopped and asked what they were doing. He learned that they were trying to find jobs. He listened to their stories of hardship and daily struggles to provide for their families. Richardson was moved to share food, clothing and the gospel message with these men. There were 150 people at the first outreach. Church on the Street still meets today. Now it is held at its donation center at 2484 Marietta Highway in Canton. C2M’s aim is to give hope to the most vulnerable in our community by serving no-income to low-income families, meeting basic human needs.
Richardson understands intimately what hopelessness feels like. An addict for most of his adult life, he was radically changed after hearing the gospel message at age 42 in 1999. He now goes to the most desperate in our community and shares the same life-changing news he heard. God redeemed him out of the depths of a horrendous life of addiction. It is quite obvious Randy is supposed to be here to serve, because after almost dying from liver failure, he made it through a successful transplant in October 2006. Changed forever, he now lives to serve.
“Most of the folks we minister to here are Hispanic,” Richardson said. “Along with our generous volunteers and donors, we help many with food, furniture, diapers and beds.”
Language doesn’t seem to be a barrier at C2M. Maybe that’s because everyone understands the universal language of love. When asked why he named his nonprofit Changed 2 Ministries he said, “When I first got saved, the Lord changed me, so I knew when I started sharing Jesus with others, he could change them, too. That is why I named the ministry Changed 2 Ministries.”
Where there are people in need, C2M will be there lending a hand, a smile and an encouraging word. Everyone is welcome to take part. There are plenty of ways to plug in and help at C2M.
• Every Monday: Church on the Street Canton, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. at the donation center* (food, clothing, household goods and furniture, and diapers are distributed).
• Every Tuesday: Celebrate Recovery, 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church Woodstock.
• Every Friday: Kids Bible Clubs, 5 p.m. at the donation center.*
• Every Saturday: Worship service, 6-8 p.m. at the donation center*
• Ongoing: Prison Visitation
Richardson’s wish is to one day purchase the donation center building. “If we can purchase the building, the work being done here will continue on after I am gone,” he said.
Donations of food, clothing, diapers, furniture, cars and monetary help are always welcome. To donate, volunteer or find out more, visit www.changed2ministries.com. For larger items such as furniture, please call in advance: 404-732-6735 or email randy.richardson@changed2ministries.com.
*Donation Center is located at 2484 Marietta Highway, Canton, GA 30114
– Susan Browning Schulz, Bible teacher, author, wife, and mom of three grown children.
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