The Thanksgiving Bash was a wonderful success! We fed approximately 350 people and distributed 318 backpacks with hoodies, t-shirts, and toiletries. Worship was inspirational with song, litergical dance, and a message full of hope from a wonderful young friend of the ministry named Christian.

We must especially thank the army of volunteers who donated backpacks and clothing, packed toiletry kits,  prepared food, served the meal, and gave of themselves - reaching out as the hands and feet of Christ! Thank you and God bless!!!

The 7th Annual Thanksgiving Bash is set for Sunday, November 10, at 2 pm on the stage in Finlay Park. Everyone is invited to come out to participate in worship and to help serve the homeless. If you would like to bring something to share, vegetable and side dishes, as well as hoodies and backpacks would be gratefully accepted! Hope to see you there!

Love and Greetings in the Name of Jesus!

Welcome to our web site! Below you will find updates for Keepin' It Real Ministries:

These are uncertain times for the homeless in Columbia. City council continues to work to pass new ordinances, which they would like to go into effect soon. Pastor Oscar is actively gathering information and praying. He is waiting to see exactly what is enacted before he makes ministry decisions. I know that he would be grateful for your prayers that God will lead us in the right direction so that the ministry can continue its mission to share the gospel, provide for the homeless, and assist people in recovery. As you might imagine, all of this is weighing heavily on Pastor Oscar. Please pray for strength and encouragement for him and his team.

Current ministry needs are as follows:

• Financial assistance 
•  Men's clothing (items go very quickly)
• New men's socks and underwear (critical need)
• New hoodies, t-shirts, and backpacks (for the Thanksgiving Bash)
• Pledges of prepared food (for the Thanksgiving Bash)
• 2 clothes dryers for the men's transitional homes (current machines have died)
•  Donations for Operation Christmas Child (see below)

The Thanksgiving Bash is still scheduled for November 10th, at 2pm. Volunteers have been collecting items for distribution. If you and your small group are interested in making donations, hoodies and t-shirts (especially sizes L-XXL) and backpacks are what are most needed. Online sources offering irregulars and seconds are most cost effective. The food sign-up has been progressing as well. Still needed are starches (mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes), cranberry sauce, veggies, and canned sodas. We also need someone to make a very large pot of gravy! If you would like to participate, please contact us! We will add you to our list.

Last but not least, the ministry is starting to feel a critical need for financial assistance. A donor, who sponsored the men's house, is no longer able to help. Pastor Oscar has been unable to work in recent months, and donations have been down over the summer. Monetary donations and/or sponsors are needed to cover shortfalls in rent and utilities at Real House (men's transitional home), gas and repairs for the ministry van, and for prescription and other assistance for the homeless. Your gifts would be a true blessing and can be mailed to Keepin' It Real Ministries, 1037 Elmwood Ave, Box 11, Columbia, SC 29201. 

 

Keepin' It Real will participate in Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child. On Sundays, there will be a collection tub in the park. Shoe boxes will be packed and sent to children overseas in the name of Keepin' It Real Ministries.

We pray that God will continue to bless the homeless through Keepin' It Real. Thanks be to God! We are ever grateful for your support and assistance! E-mail us at keepinitrealministriessc@gmail.com if you have any questions. Blessings to you!

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Love and Greetings in the Name of Jesus!

Welcome to our web site! Below you will find updates for Keepin' It Real Ministries:

These are uncertain times for the homeless in Columbia. City council continues to work to pass new ordinances, which they would like to go into effect soon. Pastor Oscar is actively gathering information and praying. He is waiting to see exactly what is enacted before he makes ministry decisions. I know that he would be grateful for your prayers that God will lead us in the right direction so that the ministry can continue its mission to share the gospel, provide for the homeless, and assist people in recovery. As you might imagine, all of this is weighing heavily on Pastor Oscar. Please pray for strength and encouragement for him and his team.

Current ministry needs are as follows:

• Financial assistance 
•  Men's clothing (items go very quickly)
• New men's socks and underwear (critical need)
• New hoodies, t-shirts, and backpacks (for the Thanksgiving Bash)
• Pledges of prepared food (for the Thanksgiving Bash)

The Thanksgiving Bash is still scheduled for November 10th, at 2pm. Volunteers have been collecting items for distribution. If you and your small group are interested in making donations, hoodies and t-shirts (especially sizes L-XXL) and backpacks are what are most needed. Online sources offering irregulars and seconds are most cost effective. The food sign-up has been progressing as well. Still needed are starches (mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes), cranberry sauce, veggies, and canned sodas. We also need someone to make a very large pot of gravy! If you would like to participate, please contact us! We will add you to our list.

Last but not least, the ministry is starting to feel a critical need for financial assistance. A donor, who sponsored the men's house, is no longer able to help. Pastor Oscar has been unable to work in recent months, and donations have been down over the summer. Monetary donations and/or sponsors are needed to cover shortfalls in rent and utilities at Real House (men's transitional home), gas and repairs for the ministry van, and for prescription and other assistance for the homeless. Your gifts would be a true blessing and can be mailed to Keepin' It Real Ministries, 1037 Elmwood Ave, Box 11, Columbia, SC 29201. 

We pray that God will continue to bless the homeless through this ministry. Thanks be to God! We are ever grateful for your support and assistance! E-mail us at keepinitrealministriessc@gmail.com if you have any questions. Blessings to you!

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Love and Greetings in the Name of Jesus!

A ministry update is long overdue! Worship continues every Sunday at 3 pm in Finlay Park, and Pastor Oscar and his team continue to serve the homeless in Columbia. They are providing bottled water daily in the park, as well as bag lunches when able. Clothing is distributed following worship, and also at 10 am Mondays and Thursdays at the U-Haul storage unit. Bible study continues 3 times a week, and Pastor Oscar continues to provide counseling and assistance as needed. Summer needs continue as follows:

• Bottled water (Many thanks to those folks who have already donated this summer! Your gifts are so very much appreciated!) As many as 20-25 cases can be needed daily in hot weather, so donations will be needed through September.
• Men's clothing (inventory is low)
• Critical Need- men's socks and underwear (must be new)
• Bag lunches (or sandwich fixings). If anyone would like to contribute bag lunches, you would be a blessing to many! Please call Pastor Oscar if you would like to help with this effort (803.406.0724)
• Financial assistance (or a sponsor) to help cover shortfalls in rent/utilities at Real House (men's transitional home)
• Queen size mattress and box spring needed for an expectant mother. The bed frame has already been donated.
• After worship meal provider. Group needed to bring and serve a meal (for 150) in the event that a regularly scheduled provider must cancel.

Please keep November 10th open for the Thanksgiving Bash. It won't be long before we will begin collecting backpacks, hoodies, and personal items, and organizing the meal. 

God continues to bless the homeless through this ministry. Thanks be to God! We are ever grateful for your support and assistance! Blessings to you!

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Keepin’ It Real Ministries has several ongoing needs for the summer!  Just as the weather heats up, daily water distribution in Finlay Park is in full swing to help prevent heat related illness. An estimated 3600 cases of bottled water will be needed. The ministry is seeking churches and groups to sponsor water drives throughout the summer, but all donations will be gratefully accepted.

Recently, Pastor Oscar reported two unfortunate situations. A local ministry that has provided meals in the park for several years has endured a crisis, and is unable to continue. Meals are served in other parts of the city, but the concern is that some will go hungry if unable to get to those locations. Also, for a number of years, the ministry has had a sponsor who picked up shortfalls in rent and utilities at the mens’ transitional homes. Unfortunately, this sponsorship has ended, and the ministry must now cover these expenses. If you or your small group would like to help, the ministry is seeking volunteers to prepare bag lunches for 50-100 people, or to help with financial contributions.

There is always an ongoing need for men’s summer clothing.  If you would like to help with any of these ministry needs, please contact us at keepinitrealministriessc@gmail.com or call Pastor Oscar Gadsden at 803.406.0724. Water and clothing may be delivered to U-Haul Moving and Storage on Elmwood Avenue. Thank you and God bless!

Keepin' It Real Ministries celebrated its 8th year if service with its Anniversary Celebration on April 14th. Volunteers provided food and backpacks (with t-shirts and toiletries) for 330 people!!!! Thank you so much to the many who came out to serve and to participate in worship. It was an inspiring day. God is SO good!

As summer approaches, the ministry is preparing for the heat. Bottled water will be distributed daily in Finlay Park in an effort to prevent heat related illness. There is also a continuing need for men's pants, t-shirts, and new socks and underwear. Donations are gratefully accepted at U-Haul Moving and Storage on Elmwood Ave. (see donations page for directions). Thank you and God bless!