State Rep. Mike Carter, left, presents John Jones and his wife Mary Anne Jones with an award from the governorProvidence Baptist Church has been a part of the Ooltewah community since the late 1800s, and the church has had a history of community outreach. Now, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has taken notice.
State Rep. Mike Carter, R-Ooltewah, visited the church to present Pastor John Jones and church member Gene Richardson with a special recognition from the governor himself. That recent Sunday was a special affair as the congregation praised the hard work of its members.
The church operates a food pantry that feeds 83 families each month and has provided families in need with other various items, said Jones. Recently, the church has also been working with Ooltewah Elementary School to help some of the youngest in the community who are in need.
"We provide 33 sack lunches to send home with students every Friday," Jones said. "The school has identified a number of children in need, and we want to make sure they have something to take home with them."
Though it's a small start, he and Richardson hope to grow what the church can do for others in the community.
"We're really doing a lot of good here and want to continue to do more," Jones said. "We're a growing church that's moving forward as a part of this community."
Providence Baptist is located at 8523 Providence Road. Call 238-4363 to learn more.