The Northwest Voice

By: Kevin Morrison, Community Contributor

On Oct. 28, members of Kaleo Fellowship in Northwest Bakersfield headed to the streets as a part of their “GO Sundays” philosophy.

Kaleo is a service-hearted fellowship and will strive to truly be of the community and not just a building in the middle of it. Every fourth Sunday will be a serving Sunday and the congregation will be helping in the community in a variety of ways — from neighborhood or park clean-ups to serving meals to the homeless or helping the elderly with home maintenance. The invitation is also extended to all congregations in Bakersfield with the hope of truly becoming a singular community for God.

Members of Kaleo teamed up with Life Journey Christian Church and Bakersfield City workers to clean up a neighborhood in Southeast Bakersfield, which had become, for all intents and purposes, a dump. People had brought their old furniture, their household trash, their automotive junk and yard waste to a residential neighborhood, leaving it to rot in the sun just feet away from where people eat, sleep and live.

The clean-up efforts of residents could not keep up with the inconsiderate dumping from other neighborhoods. The city, Kaleo Fellowship and Life Journey stepped in and, along with efforts from the residents themselves, removed all the trash and overgrown weeds. The group also restored some pride to a neighborhood anxious to be something other than a dump site.

The workers filled two giant dumpsters, far exceeding what some expected they would accomplish. At the end of the morning, there were many smiles, new friendships and a wonderful sense of accomplishment made possible by teamwork and the hearts of those who want better for people other than themselves.

You don’t need to be a member or even regular attendee to participate. If you’re a member of our wonderful Bakersfield community, you are more than qualified. If you know of community projects that need our help you may also contact Kaleo via our Web site.

The regular Sunday schedule will begin after the new year, but Kaleo would love to welcome you to its Christmas Eve service held in conjunction with Christ’s Church of the Valley, Life Journey Christian Church and Northeast Christian Church. The service will be held at Kaleo’s temporary home in Northwest Bakersfield of the American Kids Sports Center, 3622 Allen Road, between Rosedale Highway and Hageman Road.

Visit: www.kaleo.cc for more information.