We believe that everything that happens inside the walls of the church, equips us to embody the message of Jesus outside the walls of the church.  In fact, we believe the church is at its best when it serves, sacrifices and gives, caring about the things God cares about.  We were created to live for something greater than ourselves, and we think the best way to accomplish that is by serving people outside the walls of our church.  Listed below you will find just some of the ways we are attempting to accomplish this.

LOCAL EFFORTS
Buses 'n Backpacks
Each Thursday, a backpack of food is taken to area schools, providing food to children of families in need, many of which are currently homeless.  The child returns the backpack to the school the following Monday, where it is picked up, repacked, and delivered back to the school by Thursday.  Currently we work with five local schools to identify those in need.  Food is made available through donations made to the church, and through our partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank.  This weekly ministry is overseen primarily by volunteers who order, sort, pack and deliver the food each week.  For more information on how you can be involved contact the church office (352-243-1155).

Disaster Relief Trailer
When a natural disaster strikes, it normally gives little to no warning, and leaves tremendous devastation in its wake.  Through the initiative of a group of volunteers, we have outfitted a response trailer, equipped to assist victims of disaster with everything from tree removal, to roof repair, and just about anything in between.  We currently have approximately 25 people who are an active part of this team, having been trained in disaster response.   

Helping Hands
The second Saturday of each month our church body partners with New Beginnings to provide free meals to families and individuals who are in need. For more info on this team, contact the church office @ 352-243-1155.

GLOBAL EFFORTS
We support several foreign missionaries through a combination of financial support and teams of people who travel to their location. 

Papau New Guinea
Working with the missionary organization called "New Tribes Mission", Keith and Angie Copley are in PNG serving the Hewa people.  Their goal is to plant tribal churches in un-reached areas of the world.  We help provide a portion of their monthly financial support through our annual church budget.

Kamloops, British Columbia - January 4-12, 2011
This team will be composed of approx. 10 people who will traveling to Canada to assist a partner church in Kamloops, British Columbia. Total cost for the trip is $1200. For more info on this trip please contact Donnie Spivey, dspivey@churchatsouthlake.org or call the Church Office @ 352-243-1155 

Alaska
Our partnership with Echo Ranch Bible Camp is an ongoing effort, and we plan to send teams each summer to minister to the children of Southeast Alaska.

Dominican Republic
We are planning to send a team to the Dominican Republic (tentative date looks like it will be sometime in Spring 2012). We will be providing more details for this trip as they become available.