Torch, Summer 1992

loria Ward is a living example of compassion . From a few simple acts of Christian kindness extended toward her , she learned how to be a caring Christian. Now she practices compassion every day . When Gloria was in the sixth grade, she accepted Christ as her Savior at Cedine Bible Camp in Tennessee. But when she went back to her mother and eight brothers and sisters in Chattanooga, she did not realize her need to grow in the Lord. She did not learn much more about Christ until she met Pastor Tom and Vicky Mahairas in New York City in 1971. She came to their church, a single mother struggling to make ends meet and raise her son. The Mahairases helped her to find an apartment, and through their assistance, Gloria learned the meaning of Christian compassion. She remembers , "The apartment was filthy. Vicky came in to help me clean ." Having this woman scrub her floors and toilets meant more to Gloria than any sermon. "Tom and Vicky helped my son and me to know Christ. And they showed me that being a Christian means helping people to know Christ, helping them to grow in Christ, and helping them any way you can." Gloria learned the lesson well. Nearly twenty years later, while she was living in another state, she had to leave her job with the police department due to a serious injury. Through physical therapy and the Lord's grace, Gloria gained enough relief from her constant pain to look for something else to do. As a correctional officer in a Michigan county jail , she had seen the need of black children in America's cities. "I have a burden for my people . The black kids are not being helped properly with their problems. Young people need a new heart. Someone needs to tell them that knowing Christ makes a difference in your life ." One day in 1988 , Gloria's sister in Tennessee mentioned during a telephone conversation that Cedine Bible Camp was still open and looking for help . Just as Gloria remembered from her visit there in the 1950's , the camp for black children still offered hope for inner-city youth. Gloria is now on staff as head counselor in the girl's village-she is a missionary to the people she loves most. Her summer is filled loving hundreds of children . She spends the winter reaching young people in Chattanooga's public schools and prisons and raising support for her ministry . "When you mention compassion, I see little children running around in the projects, not having much to eat...I see girls corning here to camp with dirty hair and clothes . We wash their clothes , and we wash their hair , and braid it for them. We put our arms around them and say, 'Somebody does care about you.' So many have come and they don ' t want to leave ." Gloria has learned that compassion can mean something as simple, and as important , as helping someone clean her apartment or washing a little girl's hair while sharing the love of Christ. Gloria Ward is head counselor in the girl's village at Cedine Bible Camp and Conference Center, Route 1, Box 2390, Spring City, Tennessee 37381-9783.