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A new ministry has come to Suffolk to show love to the people and youth in the community.

Abundant Life Worship Outreach Ministries officially launched on April 30 with its first service on May 1.

Pastor Stephanie Mitchell is a Suffolk native and owns Stephanie’s Fashion Boutique on West Washington Street. She has worked with youth for 10 years at other Suffolk churches, including Acts Community Church and Greater First Baptist Orlando. Feeling zeal to get back into the community, she started Abundant Life Worship Outreach Ministries.

“I wanted to give back to the community, be a positive impact and let people know they can be successful and the Lord loves them,” Mitchell said. “There’s so much going on in the world that we want to show love to everyone and do something to get the kids off the streets.”

Mitchell wanted to create a ministry that welcomes everyone to come as they are and grow and learn about the word of God while having a special emphasis on youth ministry. According to Mitchell, kids are the present and the future.

The ministry’s mission is to endeavor to win souls for the kingdom as intended by God’s Word in Matthew 28:19 and to evangelize the lost by transforming lives through renewal of their minds, as Romans 12:2 states. The ministry wants to show love to people and accept people to come as they are.

“Especially with what happened in Texas, we want to reach out to help others grow up with the Lord inside them,” said Mitchell. “With the rising violence in Suffolk, we want to provide a place for the youth to come and learn.”

Abundant Life Worship Outreach Ministries meets at 12:30 p.m. on Sundays for service with youth Bible study at 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and adult Bible study at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays at 179 Tynes St.