Harlan’s heart of hope
Hearing the call of ministry and purpose, Annie Harlan, head of the Blessing Bag church project in Denham Springs, was born with a mission and a task for the Lord.
Harlan acknowledges the struggles of individuals and focuses on ways to help others, even when they may be ashamed to ask, don’t know how to ask, or don’t ask at all.
“Some are just afraid to ask, or simply don’t know how to,” stated Annie Harlan.
The Blessing Bag Project is a locally based mission project that was initiated by the Women’s Department at First Church of God in Christ under the guidance of Missionary Freda White. The bags consist of various essentials that individuals might need under difficult economic circumstances, such as water, snacks and personal hygiene items.
Harlan said she believes, “The true test of compassion is whether we can care for all of our neighbors including our homeless neighbors whom we may find the most challenging.”
She moved to Denham Springs at 11 years old and was shifted from household to household and from relative to relative, never really establishing a strong foundation.
Despite the loss of her mother and grandmother at a young age, Harlan defied her odds and used her heart and what she learned throughout the years for good.
She said, “Whenever I pass individual’s standing on the side of the interstate, I always think, that could have been me.”
She expressed that without God, she doesn't know what she would have done or where she would’ve ended up in life.
White stated, “I asked Sister Harlan to be the head of this project because she is a caring, outgoing person and the people in the community know her. I prayed about it and the spirit lead me to her.”
The Blessing Bags did not only make their way to those in the community, but Harlan and the Women’s Department also put together a new batch of Blessing Bags. The new batch was delivered to A Door of Hope which is a women’s help center located in the town of Livingston that helps pregnant women with supplies and housing.
Adolphus White, pastor of First Church of God in Christ remarked, “As soon as she was handed the assignment it’s almost like a light went off in her head and she just went to work.”
He commended her for reaching out to those who she was acquainted with or those she passed by on a daily basis who just needed a gesture of kindness or a glimmer of hope. He believed that this type of project was right up her alley.
Harlan was determined to do her best and give from the heart so that others can have hope. She expressed, “I don’t have the most, but with what I do have I can help bless others.”
She plans to disperse the Blessing Bags every three quarters within the year to allow for more supplies and materials to be donated. Also, she will be looking for more organizations to give the Blessing Bags to. Her goal is to continue the Blessing Bag project and make it even better for the years to come.
