Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Angel Tree program launches for season

CLOVIS - For the fifth straight year, Living Word Church of God in Clovis will join other churches around the country in helping incarcerated parents provide Christmas gifts for their children.

The Angel Tree program, organized by the Christian non-profit Prison Fellowship, has brought some joy to children in difficult circumstances since 1982, according to the organization's website.

Associate Pastor Bonetta Hutson said this year Living Word will facilitate Christmas gifts for 154 children in Clovis, along with assistance from Bethlehem Baptist Church and K-Bee Home Care Services.

While the churches and other organizations will be purchasing the gifts like dolls, jewelry, sports equipment and toy cars, Hutson made sure to note that the presents are still coming from the kids' parents.

"We're just passing gifts on from their parents to them; it lets them know their parents are always thinking about them," Hutson said.

From noon to 2 p.m. on Dec. 15 at Living Word, the church will host a Christmas party to distribute the gifts, provide some refreshments and share with the kids both the Gospel and the importance of the holiday and Prison Fellowship's work.

"Christmas has become so commercialized over the years that people forget what Christmas is really about," Hutson said. "For that 30 minute service we remind them what Christmas is all about and why it's so important; it's not just about giving the gifts."

One person who will share his story with the children will be James Laster, who will give his testimony and pass out the gifts dressed as Santa Claus.

Laster told The News he has a personal connection to the Angel Tree program.

"I spent a good portion of my life in and out of prison and Angel Tree and Prison Fellowship and the other ministries it does always was there for me," Laster said.

"They took care of my kids for years while I was in prison. Not just a couple of things, they really took care of them. I was always blessed by that so now that I'm with Living Word, we want to give something back."

Of course, it's all about the kids and seeing their faces light up when they receive their Christmas gift from their parents.

"What's there not to enjoy about that?" Laster said "It's not just the kids, I think the other parents also get something out of it. It's just a wonderful blessing, I can't really explain it with words."

Laster said he hopes the event can help some of these kids' parents change their life and find Christ the way he did eight years ago.

"Maybe this is the thing that causes them to turn around in their lives because Prison Fellowship was in there and led these people to Christ," Laster said. "It's just awesome, it will bring tears to your eyes seeing the look on some of these kids faces."

 
 
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