Greenwood’s own Ursula Carter won in her group during the “World’s Universal Princess” pageant last week after first winning the regional and state competitions held in 2020. As a winner of multiple pageants that are often centered around community service, Carter spoke with the Greenwood Resident about the ministries she takes part in throughout the Greenwood community.
After spending more than twenty years in Greenwood, Carter has seen the area’s growing need for basic items, such as food. After joining First Assembly of God, 725 Park Drive, Greenwood, she felt called to assist with the food bank and has managed it for the last four years. With an empowering new way to provide nutritional assistance through the food bank, and realizing that not all recipients could eat what was in a mass-produced box, the ministry team decided to provide food based on a points value system. This, according to Carter, allows for a more shopping-based experience, and a more dignified method of delivering these needed items.
“ We stand on Matthew 25:40 when it comes to the food bank…” said Carter. “Truly I tell you, whatever you have done for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done for me…We want to give back and help people in the best way we can, and for our church, it was this food bank…When you think about it, almost 20% of the residents of Sebastian County are food insecure, and so even though we are not the only food source for some of Greenwood, we might be the only weekly food source”
This ministry involves the work of many volunteers, and the residents that need these services are often elderly and disabled. They typically have food items such as bread and canned goods. Carter added, however, that there is often a need for baby items. To acquire the food they hand out, the church purchases the food at a lower price. With the increase in food distribution, donations are always appreciated.
Carter is also the managing director of an accredited Bible College that is taught through the First Assembly of God Church location. The college also offers a remote learning option, which extends the school’s outreach.
During the month of December, Carter manages the area drop-off location “Project Shoebox,” which provides shoeboxes filled with Christmas gifts that are delivered all over the world. It is the Western Arkansas Community and Church Relations contact for Operation Christmas Child. Carter remarked how important this ministry is to her because “These gifts are a representation of love, and Jesus is love. Every child deserves to feel that.”
With her success on stage and commitment to community service, Carter’s true crowning achievement is her compassionate spirit and servant’s heart!
