Friday, Sep. 05, 2008

Wesley center leader on a mission

By NABEEL JAITAPKER

For the News-Mirror

Teresa Washington considers herself to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

"I feel that God has selected me to carry out this specific task," she said. "This truly is worship at its core. And I am grateful for this opportunity."

The task Washington is referring to is reaching out to those in the community that need help. Washington does that by going to work every day as the new director of the Wesley Mission Center, a community outreach and volunteer-supported ministry of the First United Methodist Church Mansfield.

"God puts something on my plate every day," the Mansfield resident said. "And I’m always ready for it."

Since coming on board three months ago, Washington continues to maintain partnerships with local churches and businesses she developed at the Bethlehem Baptist Church of Mansfield, where she served as a community liaison. She also currently serves on the board of Common Ground Network, an association of churches and support agencies serving low-income Mansfield families in need of provisions such as food and clothing.

Washington admits that the key to success in her field is maintaining a balance between work and family life.

"Working for any social service agency can be extremely demanding," she said. "It’s important that one finds the time for their spouses and kids."

A native of southern California, Washington moved to the Metroplex with her husband, Joel, and two sons, Michael and Anthony in 2004. She immediately went to work for Bethlehem Baptist Church, helping develop an after-school program for kids and working as a community liaison.

"The scholarship program is for at-risk kids based on their needs," she said. "It provides things such as after-school care and enrichment."

James Tucker, the youth director at Bethlehem Baptist Church, agrees.

"The program Teresa helped develop covers everything from academia to athletics and good nutrition," he said. "It also helps develop a strong sense of spirituality."

At the mission center, however, Washington’s goal is more than reaching out to the community.

"We have to work on ourselves before we can help each other," she said.

She hopes to introduce a wellness program that benefits her staff, which works in a stressful and time-consuming field.

"Sometimes you have to give up time with your family to help those who need it most," she said. "But the mind cannot work properly if the body is being neglected."

She added that the program would promote healthier eating habits for the staff and activities such as exercising together before coming to work.

The mission center’s goal is to provide counseling, food, school supplies and help paying bills for families that cannot afford to do so. Additionally, the center’s focus is on raising money and recruiting volunteers to help in its cause.

"This place would not survive without the help of the volunteers," she said. "I get paid to work here, but what our volunteers do is truly amazing."

The center, which opened as a women’s thrift store in 1979, now serves thousands annually from its 11,000-square-foot building in Mansfield. It also provides workspace for community service organizations such as a shelter for at-risk children.

"We’re not grant-funded since we want to maintain a spiritual base," Washington said. "So all the money is raised through the community and the First United Methodist Church."

She added that the center is open to anybody who needs help.

"The biggest misconception is that we are available only to those who are members of First United," she said. "People who give their time and money to our cause do not care what denomination you are. They just want to help."

Elaine LeSueur, a certified youth physical education instructor at the Bethlehem Baptist Church, says Washington’s ability to reach out to members of the community proves how talented she is.

"She makes the point to get to know you and show you that she really cares," she said. "We still call her for help on issues we have at our church."

With all the time spent at the center, Washington does somehow manage to find time for her family. And, in her free time, likes reading spiritual-based books.

"I’m a Bible thumper," she said. "I have five to six different Bibles I read to get a better understanding of the differences."

At the end of the day, Washington admits it is her duty to serve those who need help.

"Making partnerships develop is my true calling," she said. "I have a passion for this and there is a great need for this in our community."

For more information on the center, visit www.wesleymissioncenter.org.