TALLAHASSEE — One Tallahassee District church serving an African-American neighborhood is using tangible methods of offering people the serving and healing ministry of Jesus Christ.

Ray of Hope United Methodist Church here is planning the next installment of its "Free Market," a ministry that provides donated clothing, appliances, furniture and other items to people who need them. The market is one facet of this capital city church’s efforts to live out its mission statement, "Bringing Hope to the Hill."

The ministry began in 1999 with a one-day "market" after a church member learned that neighborhood women residing in city shelters needed help making a new beginning, according to the church’s pastor, the Rev. Calvin McFadden.

Clothing, appliances and furniture are items that are integral to the transition from a shelter to self-sufficiency. The church asked members and the community for donations, an effort that was aided by radio announcements and a local newspaper article.

"Many church members have clothes they no longer wear or appliances they no longer use that can be of use to someone," McFadden said.

During a market event, guests are given 50 "Hope Dollars" to buy donated items. Free food and soda are also served, and there are Bible trivia contests for prizes, such as bicycles.

Prayer has under-girded the ministry. One month before the event, McFadden and a team of church members meet for weekly prayer. "We knew that we could not pull this off without prayer. God poured out his blessing, and we did not have room enough to receive it," he said.

About 250 individuals were helped during the first event in 1999. Twice as many went to the second "Free Market" last August, and donated items were left over for 2001. McFadden said the church may operate two market days this year, one in the spring and one in the fall.

Ray of Hope sends special invitations for the event to the various city shelters, encouraging residents to arrive before it opens so they can get first choice of the donated items. Last August, individuals were lined up and waiting by 8:30 a.m. for the 10 a.m. event.

Seeing the reaction of those being served by the ministry inspires McFadden. "Most of them said, ‘This is what’s needed, this is what we need.’ One lady said, ‘This is what churches ought to be about.’ We feel like we’re answering the call that God has given to us," he said.

Ray of Hope is on the south side of Tallahassee in what McFadden describes as a declining neighborhood. The city is working to revitalize it through the creation of new businesses and other improvements, part of a program called "Southern Strategy." McFadden planted the church in 1998, and about 135 individuals, roughly 99 percent of whom are African-American, attend worship services on Sundays.

Another ministry Ray of Hope developed reaches out to family members of people infected with the HIV virus. The church currently serves as a resource center, providing information to the families, but may expand the role if funding becomes available.

"I think we have quite a few ministries and programs in Tallahassee that focus on people with the disease, but not many focus on the family members of those with the disease, helping them to cope," said McFadden, whose comments at a recent prayer breakfast on HIV and the black church were featured on National Public Radio.

The church also hosts an annual AIDS benefit concert sponsored by Big Ben Cares, an HIV ministry that provides funding for patients. The latest concert is Jan. 20.