Dorcas/Adcare Ministry
Dorcas was started by a group of women in Battle Creek, Michigan, USA, in 1874 in the home of Mrs. Henry Gardner. It was first called Dorcas and Benevolent Association. Activities included making garments and supplying food for needy families, caring for the fatherless and widows, and ministering to the sick.
The Dorcas team at Hoxton Park Seventh-day Adventist Church continues to strive to help people physically and spiritually, in the name and spirit of Jesus. Its concern is for every case of need, particularly emergency needs not provided by other agencies
ADRA Ministry
The Personal Ministry team at Hoxton Park Church facilitates the ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief Agency) collection each year in the Hoxton Park Community. ADRA was founded in 1956 and is the global humanitarian organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. In 2004, ADRA reported assisting nearly 24 million people with more than US$159 million in aid. Its staff numbered over 4,000 members. By the end of 2007, it had operations in 125 countries and in 2014, ADRA International responded to approximately 60 emergencies worldwide. It specialises in disaster relief, water and sanitation, Education, HIV/Aids, Health, Refugees and IDPs, Shelter, etc.
In Sydney, the ADRA Community Centre in Blacktown provides ongoing support to some of the most vulnerable people in Sydney’s western suburbs. Not only does it facilitate private counselling services, but food parcels, crisis relief, emergency housing and other tailored programs. Thus, ADRA fund collection is a vital part of the ministry at Hoxton Park Church with all church members given the opportunity to engage in this rewarding ministry.