Rincon ministry aims to raise awareness about Malawi

McEwen, founder of Rincon-based Acts III Global Ministries, in conjunction with his business will host the first Malawi awareness event in October at the shopping center on Ga. 21 where the organization's thrift store is located.

The free event will feature local Christian bands, free gift baskets that include hand-carved letter openers from Malawi, CDs and DVDs and inflatable attractions for children.

The event is not a fundraiser, McEwen said.

"There will not even be a love offering taken up," he said. "We just want to let the community know what is going on in Malawi and what the needs are there."

McEwen said he has been to the poverty- and disease-stricken country 15 times in the last four years and plans to travel there again this September.

His first trip was with another ministry's founder, who he had designed a free Web site for. When he went, he said he saw countless unsupervised children, many of whom were carrying around little baby brothers or sisters tied on their back.

"I knew that was where the Lord wanted me to be," he said.

Acts III is building an orphanage in Malawi that will accommodate 96 orphans, he said. Unfortunately, there are about 20,000 orphans in the village where the orphanage is being built and it is just going to "scratch the surface," he said.

That's why he wants more people to know about what is happening in the country so that they too will try to help in whatever way they can, he said.

Acts III has been trying to help people since it was established about four years ago.

The incorporated church's thrift store is funded through donations and sales. The organization gives clothing and items away to the needy for free and uses whatever other money it raises through sales to stay in business and fund church projects. It is run by both volunteers and paid employees.

The ministry does not yet have a church, but is planning on building one in the future. McEwen said they may start holding services in the store on Sundays.

Employee Terika Coppock, 24, said she has been working at the store for three years.

"I like what they are doing," Coppock said. "It's good that they are raising awareness."

The Effingham County Board of Commissioners will consider a request for the assemblage permit today during the commission's regular meeting at 8:30 a.m.

McEwen said he is expecting about 500 people to attend the event throughout the day.