Missions and Outreach
Serving others is an important part of what Noel is all about. From mission trips to weekly ministries, Noel cares about others and wants to be the hands and feet of Christ in this world. Discover ways you can get involved by contacting Rachel Scott, Minister of Service and Outreach at scottrl@bellsouth.net or call the church office at 318-221-5207. Here are some great opportunities to serve:
Noel Neighborhood Ministries 
Noel Neighborhood Ministries has the largest food pantry in northwest Louisiana, giving out over 700 bags of food per month to needy people of Caddo Parish. The Food Pantry is operated by director, Susan Foster, and over 100 volunteers from Noel and various churches. Volunteers interview those seeking assistance, bag food, unload trucks, greet those entering the Food Pantry and serve on the board. The Food Pantry is open Monday – Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Another service offered through Neighborhood Ministries is "Start-up Kits" for those who have experienced a recent house fire or moving out of a shelter. If you're interested in volunteering, contact Susan Foster at 424-0434.
Adult Learning Center
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Noel is partnering with Shreveport-Bossier Community Renewal to offer adults the opportunity to learn computer skills, work toward their GED and participate in the Distance Learning Program of the Caddo School system. Two classrooms at Noel house the program, and volunteers from Noel assist students in their learning. Contact Rachel Scott at 797-8721 for more information.
Hope House Meals
Noel has committed to making 50 lunch bags for Hope House, a drop-in shelter for homeless people, on the second Tuesday of each month. Volunteers make sandwiches and place them in lunch bags along with items such as fresh fruit, crackers, and cookies. The meals are then delivered and handed out to the homeless. If your group would like to sponsor a month, either hands-on or financially, please contact Rachel Scott at 797-8721 or scottrl@bellsouth.net.
Souper Saturday
Soup is cooked and delivered to elderly and disabled people in our community by a group of Noel volunteers on the last Saturday of each month. We deliver soup to 50 – 60 people each month who receive meals on weekdays from Meals on Wheels, but need a meal on the weekend. Volunteers cook the soup, prepare bags for delivery, and deliver the soup. Leah Miller coordinates this ministry and she can be contacted at lele6b@bellsouth.net. See the Shreveport Times news article about this ministry at: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20090212/LIVING/902120307
Annual Seasonal Mission Events
Easter Celebration Meal
Noel provides a free meal for the community each year on the Saturday of Palm Sunday weekend. This event averages serving over 700 people each year. Fun family activities, musical entertainment and a barbeque chicken lunch combine for a great resurrection celebration at Noel. Over 100 volunteers from the church assist in preparing and serving the food, coordinating activities for kids and meeting and greeting our neighbors.
The Giving Factory
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For the Christmas season, Noel volunteers fill bags of food for over 300 elderly and disabled people in our community. The gym is set up with several assembly lines and Noel becomes a “Giving Factory” for those in need. This event is held on a Sunday in December before Christmas.
Highland Thanksgiving Dinner
Noel participates with other Highland churches in providing a Thanksgiving meal for the Friendship Houses in Highland. The meal was held at the Highland Center in 2011 and over 130 people were served a delicious meal. This is coordinated with the Highland Friendship Houses of Shreveport-Bossier Community Renewal.
Angel Tree
Toys for needy children are provided through the Angel Tree program each Christmas. A party is held for the children where they enjoy activities, refreshments, and receive their Angel Tree gifts.
Greater Gift Market
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Noel Church is transformed annually into a one-stop gift shop featuring a variety of fair trade merchandise. These artisans have been paid a fair price to produce their goods, and each purchase helps them to become more self-sufficient. This event features a large selection of beautiful, high-quality jewelry, purses, needlework, bath and body items, toys, holiday ornaments and other handcrafts, as well as coffees, teas and chocolates from vendors such as Ten Thousand Villages, the Two Hands Worldshop and Bead For Life. In addition, there is art and jewelry available from local artists in our community and alternative gift items from our own Noel Neighborhood Ministries Food Pantry. A portion of the proceeds are returned to our Noel Missions Program.
Mexico Mission Trip
A team travels to Juarez, Mexico, each year in February to build houses, work in the medical clinic and lead a baseball camp through the Proyecto Abrigo Ministry in Juarez (see www.proyectoabrigo.org). The trip is for a week, and the cost of the trip is around $200.00 for Noel members and $300.00 for non-Noel members. Contact Rachel Scott at 797-8721 for more information. Click here for a brochure on the Mexico Trip.
Other Mission Trips
Short term mission trips are organized to locations within one day driving distance, such as, New Orleans (hurricane disaster recovery work), UMCOR Depot (warehouse in South Louisiana for receiving and shipping disaster supplies), Heifer Project in Arkansas, and other childrens' homes and community centers.