A BRIEF HISTORY

Groundwork for Good Samaritan Ministries was laid in 1990 when a representative from the Baptist General Convention of Texas' Church and Community Ministries Department visited our Baptist Association here in Brownwood to discuss with several interested individuals from the Baptist churches the need for a Christian social ministry in our area.

Coming out of that meeting was an interest and commitment on the part of several individuals to create a formalized Christian social ministry in our county. A task force was formed headed by Pastor Rick McClatchy to survey our area for needs and to discover existing helping ministries and agencies already present in the county. From information gathered, a Community Service Guide was published and recommendations for a plan of action were presented at the annual meeting of the Brown Baptist Association in October 1992. The recommendations were approved and a Christian Social Ministries Committee was appointed to carry out the recommendations adopted by the Association.

In 1993, a name was chosen - Heart of Texas Good Samaritan Ministries. It was decided that the ministry would be interdenominational since poverty was an issue to be dealt with by Christians and not denominations. The ministry was incorporated with the state of Texas as a nonprofit corporation. In September, a director was hired and operations began in October at the Sunset Terrace Mission near Sunset Terrace Apartments. Initially, ministries focused only on food and clothing.

In September 1994, due to its growth, a 9,500 square foot building was purchased in downtown Brownwood. The ministry was moved to that location and operations began there in December. Three more ministries were added - Samaritan Aid (financial assistance with utility and rent), Help for Health (medical and dental assistance), and a school supply program. In addition, the local chapter of The Salvation Army was provided office space.

In 2002, The Salvation Army combined its office with its Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen. Richard and Mary Hunter stayed with Good Samaritan to continue administering our financial aid program. That same year Good Samaritan was able to purchase additional property on each side of the building for future expansion: the parking lot across the street from the clothing store and the 5,000 sq. foot vacant building adjacent to the food warehouse.

The 5,000 square foot building was greatly in need of repair in order to be useable, but its shell was structurally sound. A three-phase building/renovation plan was conceived with the help of local architect, James Orr, and fund raising began. After a generous gift was bequeathed to Good Samaritan from the estate of Helen Bacon and a grant from the USDA Rural Development construction to expand the ministry to a 15,000 sq. foot facility began. The current building and the adjacent building were joined in the spring of 2005.

By October of 2005 the Food Pantry, food warehouse, and offices were moved into their new locations. The expansion greatly improved the efficiency and atmosphere of the ministry. It also made possible several additions to the ministry, including doubling the waiting area, adding a chapel, a break room, restrooms, and a conference/classroom.

Originally, the next phase of the building campaign was to be the renovation of the clothing store, followed by the remodeling of the exterior.  However, after long consideration and consultation with the architect, James Orr, it was decided that the exterior renovation would be the next phase.  This was begun during the summer of 2007.  The interior of the clothing store will be the third phase and will begin when funds are available.

Good Samaritan Ministries is a Christian ministry operating by faith in God to provide as He moves upon the hearts of people to support the ministry. Over the last 14 years the support for Good Samaritan has grown from that of a handful of area churches to include over 40 churches. Staff has increased from one to seven individuals. The many volunteers who make this ministry possible have grown from about 25 to over two hundred. Truly Good Samaritan represents the heart and vision of area churches and individuals to meet the needs of their neighbors.