General Council "Our Church, Our Family" Theme Lived Out

ORLANDO, Florida -- Following worship, led by the River Valley Assembly worship team at Thursday night’s opening General Council service in the Orange County Convention Center, attendees witnessed a “family member” receive an unexpected blessing.

Jay Mooney, the executive director of AG COMPACT Family Services, began sharing a story of a young woman, Tana Brashears, who attends Legacy Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Mooney explained that Brashears entered the foster system as a young teen when both of her parents were incarcerated. She stayed in the system until she aged out of foster care, but is now a pharmacy tech at a local hospital and a born-again, Spirit-filled follower of Jesus Christ.

However, Mooney continued, Tana and her 5-year-old son, Walker, who participates in Junior Bible Quiz at their church, wanted to give back to the current generation of foster children. So, through COMPACT she worked to become a licensed foster parent. To satisfy the requirements to foster a child, Brashears needed to buy reliable transportation — so she took out a loan to buy a car. And now soon, she and Walker will welcome a young foster child into their home.

“Tana Brashears is sacrificially sharing from her own limited means to meet the need of other vulnerable children,” Mooney explained. “That is model ministry in our church, in our family.”

Mooney then asked Brashears and her son to come out onto the stage where he presented her, on behalf of her AG family, with a $14,000 check to cover the car loan and associated taxes of the gift. As Brashears fought tears, Gail Clay, General Superintendent Doug Clay’s wife, then presented a beaming Walker a gift basket that will enable the pair to enjoy a family day at Disney World, courtesy of Visit Orlando, the Orange County Convention Center and partner hotels.

The audience erupted in cheers, tears, and clapping as the gifts were presented. An offering opportunity was then provided for those who wanted to join in being a part of paying for the cost of the car loan.