By Loretta Fulton

Beth Young is the new director City Light Community Ministries, an outreach of First Baptist Church that is one of the city’s leading ministries to the homeless and needy. 

Prior to taking on the new position, Beth was missions ministry assistant. She was a volunteer in the front office and helped with housing grant applications. 

City Light, which moved into the new Hope Center in December 2023, offers numerous services for those in need. It also provides job training and educational opportunities. Beth recently was featured in the First Baptist Church newsletter. A blurb from the article says the following:

“Beth’s heart for reaching out to our neighbors and her love for FBC is a reflection of her devotion to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 

Beth Young

BETH YOUNG, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY MINISTRIES
Family: Husband Greg, Two grown children, four grandchildren
Hometown: Abilene
Education: Lee Elementary, Mann Jr. High, Abilene High
Year joined FBC: 2001
Previous positions at FBC/City Light:  Ministry Assistant for the Pastor of Missions

Q Will you be the director of all of the City Light ministries? Is this a newly created position? 
A Yes, I am the Director of Community Ministries. John Moore is the executive director. No, it is not a new position. Stephanie Stewart was our previous director.

Q How many ministries does City Light provide?
A There are five pillars of focus:

1. DINING WITH DIGNITY–To offer hospitality to a stranger as if they were family.
2. COMMUNITY–To do life together as family for all who enter our doors.
3. LEADERSHIP TRAINING & JOB PLACEMENT–To provide life changes for families through training and opportunity.
4. CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES–To break family cycles of poverty and homelessness together.
5. EDUCATION/LITERACY/COLLABORATION–Working together to change poverty’s effect on families in our community.

SERVICES WE PROVIDE:
Showers  MWF  
Lunch MWF  11-12:30
Mail services 

Clothing Closet
Rental and Utility help
Breakfast on Sunday, and a Sunday Morning Worship service
Cooling and Warming station MWF 9-3

Q Have you previously been a volunteer or employee in any of those ministries?
A Yes. I was a volunteer for two years before I was employed by City Light. I volunteered in the front office and with the CARES housing grant applications. 

Q What will your job be on a day-to-day basis? (I know it will vary, but what are your primary daily responsibilities?)
A Case Management Services, Grant Writing, Volunteer Coordinator, Office Manager, Fundraising

Q Have you added any new ministries, or eliminated any, since moving into the Hope Center?
A No

Q Anything else you wish to add?
A Our key verse we live by: “Also, do good things for the city I sent you to. Pray to the LORD for the city you are living in, because if there is peace in that city, you will have peace also.” Jeremiah 29:7

Loretta Fulton is creator and editor of Spirit of Abilene