Throwback Thursday – Community Outreach

At The Raining Season, community outreach has always been more than a program.  It is a reflection of who we are and why we exist. As we look back this Throwback Thursday, we are reminded that serving others beyond our walls has been woven into our mission from the very beginning. Whether meeting physical needs, sharing encouragement and the gospel, or partnering with local leaders, outreach allows us to live out our calling to love and serve others.

Our passion for community outreach goes back a long way. In June 2014, a team led by Matt Pearson hosted a Vacation Bible School at the center, inviting children from the surrounding community to attend. Nearly seventy children from outside the center walls joined in, and many heard about Jesus for the very first time. The joy, laughter, and transformation from that week remain a beautiful reminder of why outreach matters.

In July 2022, our founder, Erica Rust, and Executive Director, Lori Pyle, participated in a rice feeding program that reached families in Grafton, Waterloo, and Kono. This outreach was a tangible expression of care for families facing food insecurity, and a powerful reminder that compassion knows no boundaries. At the heart of The Raining Season is a commitment to help those in need wherever the need may be.

That same heart for outreach was evident again in March 2024, when a team visited the community near The Covering alongside Pastor William. After Pastor William shared the gospel, rice was distributed to nearly 100 people gathered from the surrounding area. Moments like these remind us that outreach is about both meeting immediate needs and offering hope that lasts.

Also in 2024, our February team had the opportunity to visit the future site of The Raining Season in Kono and serve the surrounding community. As we prepare for this exciting new chapter of transitioning operations from Freetown to Kono, we are intentionally linking arms with community leaders to better understand local needs and serve well. This journey is not just about new land or new buildings, but about deepening our commitment to the people of Kono and walking alongside them.

Community outreach has always been, and will always be, a vital part of The Raining Season’s mission. Our in-country staff continues to do an incredible job of identifying needs within the community and responding with love and faithfulness.

As we reflect on these moments, we are grateful for the many partners, teams, and leaders who have helped make outreach possible. Please continue to pray with us as we serve and as we step forward into all that God has planned.

Together, through community outreach, we will continue to serve beyond our walls.

Many blessings,

The Raining Season