Father-daughter duo Steven Franklin, creator and president of Matthew 5:42 and Leah Franklin, co-creator and president of Next Generation for Christ bring their local ministries together for a clothing and free haircut giveaway under the First Christian Church (FCC) of Kewanee, September 16, 2023. Article submitted by Calab Franklin from Regional Media.
Over the last year the ministries worked together to take in donations to host the giveaway. The back breaking work and hundreds of hours of volunteering was definitely worth the wait. Overall, the ministries helped 170 Families in need and gave away over 6,800 pounds of clothes and 20 free haircuts. “Giving back to the community and bringing our Local Families closer to God is what this is all about”, said Steve. “All of us have been in need at some point in our lives, it is important that these Families understand that although things seem hard now God is looking down on you.”
Steven Franklin, 53, was born in Buda, IL, and has lived between Bureau and Henry County his entire life. The Kewanee resident created Matthew 5:42 in October of 2019 as a way to make sure those within his community can live comfortably in their own homes. “God has been instrumental in growing this ministry from just furniture to adding clothing,” said Steve. “Not to mention Next Generation for Christ, we just try to be used to helped those in need around us.”
Steve has organized the donation of nearly 40 fridges, 50 couches, 41 Beds, and many more to date. Recently, Steve brought in Paula Gradert-King, a member of the First Christian Church and local hair stylist. Paula has taken over the clothing portion of the ministry and also added the free haircuts for children to the giveaways.
“It makes it easier when you have a co-leader like Paula who can organize events like this, her along with all of the volunteers truly are the ones who make this happen,” said Steve. Steve’s ministry is also one of the leading factors that drove his 16-year-old daughter Leah Franklin to create her own ministry, Next Generation for Christ, in the summer of 2023.
Next Gen. for Christ is a local Kewanee ministry that focuses on the basic needs of Families in the area. Although the youthful non-profit just started this year, they have already started to make a boom in the community on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
“Our organization is focused around making sure people have the basic necessities on everyday life such as shampoo, razors, and clothing” said Leah. “No person should have to go without these things and our goal is to make sure that they don’t.”
For the last several years Leah has traveled to Native American land in Wyoming for mission trips. Helping to raise awareness for the reservation, help those in need, and spread the word of God. Taking part in those trips and seeing her church Family and actual Family help others is what compelled her to create Next Gen. for Christ.
“I get this feeling that God is calling me to service,” said Leah. “I want to help as many people as I can for as long as I can, and be an example to the youth around me.” Matthew 5:42 and Next Gen. for Christ are always accepting new members and looking to grow. If you know of a Family in need or have donations visit the FCC on the corner of Dwight Street and Division Street in Kewanee.
The ministries plan to have the next giveaway event later this fall. Check their social media platforms for updates @NextGenerationForChrist and @Matthew5:42Ministries.
