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Hardship can come in many different forms for those in need—everything from a minor setback to the tragic loss of one’s home and all of their belongings. Big or small, the Purpose of God Annex is there for those who are beset by misfortune. “I’m truly grateful to be a conduit and that God trusts me, my wife, and or staff to get the necessities to people in need,” said Bishop Samuel Jones, Jr., founder of the Purpose of God Annex. “I would like the recipients of food, furnishings, and clothing to know that it is because of the goodness of God and the hearts that he has touched that we receive the donations that we do. Some give because they want to help others, while others may donate because they are downsizing for whatever reason. Regardless, they are doing so to make sure others are being taken care of and to lessen their burdens.”

Richard Godley, his wife, and three children had their lives turned upside down. On September 3 of this year, they had a house fire and lost everything. “We didn’t know what to do or where to go,” said Godley. “Bishop Jones actually reached out to us after my sister, Brenda had informed him of our situation. He was able to furnish our new place. There were dressers, beds and mattresses, a dining room table, a sofa, an entertainment center, and clothing. Bishop Jones was a Godsend. We lost everything and they were able to come through for us.”

Patrice Pope has been battling cancer and struggling to make ends meet for herself and her five sons. In her case, she was in desperate need of a refrigerator. “Bishop Jones and his wife have been a great blessing to me and my family,” said Pope. “They not only got us the refrigerator that we needed but also provided me encouragement along the way. He is there to help people any way he can.”

Susan Hill is a speech therapist at a pre-K through 5th grade elementary school in Pitt County. She works closely with families and their children with special needs who are hard of hearing or deaf. She is also bi-lingual and works closely with many Hispanic families. And through her work, she often learns a lot about the families of the students she works with. “I was making arrangements for a young Hispanic student to get his hearing aides,” said Hill. “In speaking with his mother I learned that their trailer had burned to the ground, and they lost everything. The guidance counselor and I met with the mother to determine exactly what they needed, which was pretty much everything from big furniture items to clothing.”

Hill said she knew of Bishop Jones and his work and reached out to him to see if he might be able to help with some of the larger items like a couch. “He told me we were welcome to whatever we needed for the family,” said Hill. “I found the perfect sofa for the mother and her four children. He was so kind and generous, and said if we ever came across other families who were in need or experienced a tragedy to call him.”

This is just a small sampling of the lives that Bishop Jones and the Purpose of God Annex have touched over the years. The ministry serves those in need in seven other counties in addition to Beaufort. But there have been those as far away as Raleigh and other states that have received help. “God is responsible for everything that is happening,” said Jones. “I want those who we have helped to know that we truly love them and we love God and serving God’s people.”