GO FORTH MINISTRIES HISTORY
 

Go Forth Ministries was founded by DeeDee Hook Brogan in 1988, when she was only 16 years old.   She is the daughter of Mary Gale and I.D. Hook and sister of Jamie Hook, all of Mt. Hebron.   With a strong desire to keep the Homeless of our area warm for the winter, DeeDee asked her home church, Mt. Hebron United Methodist Church, to help her fulfill God’s plan.   Supported by her church, each consecutive year since that time,  around Christmas time, over 250 men and women were given a tote bag filled with warm clothing, a hygiene kit, and a blanket and warm coat if needed. 

 

DeeDee’s heart for the Homeless was driven because she saw her Great, Great Uncle Frank Goforth become homeless.  At one time, he lived at the Oliver Gospel Mission in downtown Columbia.   Later, he lived out of his car where he eventually died in 1988.  Go Forth Ministries was started in his memory. 

 

Today, DeeDee resides in Knoxville, TN, with her husband, Jim, and their two children, Mary Caroline and Elizabeth Grace. 

 

Since DeeDee married, Go Forth Ministries has been continued by Mt. Hebron.    The project was first held in the parking lot of Taylor Street Pharmacy, then at the Bethlehem Center, later moved to Washington Street UMC.  For many years, homemade vegetable soup and cornbread, coffee, and hot chocolate were served to the homeless as they received their warm clothing.

 

Since January 2015, Go Forth Ministries was moved into Mt. Hebron’s church parsonage.   It started with a Food Pantry where we serviced around 30 needy families in our community each month.    In June 2015, Mt. Hebron approved a Clothes Closet as an addition to this ministry.   

 

Today, Go Forth Ministries is blessed with around 25 volunteers to help with the ministry.   We give praise to God that we are now servicing around 75 families a month with food, clothes, and a time of prayer.   Please come by and visit us directly across the street from the church.   Our hours of operation are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. until 12 noon.  If you care to give to this ministry, you may make checks to Mt. Hebron UMC and designate in the corner of your check “Go Forth Ministries.”   May you be blessed for your support to this vital ministry.