One of the most essential things we do as humans is to pursue spiritual growth. While we may know there is more to life than bills and legal issues, often times those very things can keep us from becoming the spiritual leaders we are called to be. Thankfully, there are many services and community leaders who are looking to help you as you seek to support your family, your church and your community.
Prattville Community Church has been a part of the Sikeston community since 2003. With a stated mission of connecting Sikeston, MO, with God, they do this by filling a need that they see lacking in the local community – spiritual and, in some cases, physical support. Much like assistance with legal matters, that they too seek to provide and strengthen the people of Sikeston, Prattville Community Church is doing their part to provide a solid foundation so that the people of Sikeston can have the security and freedom needed to pursue their dreams.
So, what is legal aid and why does it matter to Sikeston, MO?
Legal aid is a term used to describe an entity that offers free or low-cost legal advice and representation to low income individuals. Their services can range from basic advice to full representation at court hearings. In general, these services are provided in civil, not criminal, matters. Legal aid is an important resource that can prevent low income individuals from facing hardships such as discrimination, unemployment, domestic violence and eviction.
As we think about the role legal aid plays in serving our community, it’s important to recognize where and how to look for these resources. You may not yet see the importance of legal aid, but should the situation present itself where you encounter a legal issue, from improper debt collection calls to wrongful termination, knowing where to look for support goes a long way. As such, legal aid services in Sikeston, MO include:
Emily Balke, writer and life coach, shares a poignant story of her and her husband’s experience of seeking assistance through the legal aid system in Missouri. Emily and her husband were at a point in their lives where they both had successful careers, but their family was in a difficult financial situation due to an overseas move that involved more expenses than money coming in. One of the biggest burdens was an investment property that wasn’t pulling in much income.
With over 40 creditors each, Emily and her husband were discouraged as they didn’t see any solution in sight. That was until an acquaintance told Emily to call Lutheran Family Services of Missouri. Before seeking out their assistance, Emily thought they could help find grants to help keep the property and repair it, since that was the course of action that seemed right to them. However, a bankruptcy attorney soon explained that to truly fix the problem, they would need to let the property go and sell it. Neither of the Balke’s went into the situation thinking that bankruptcy was the solution, but after working with LFS, they realized that it was the best course of action for their family.
As Christians, we often feel like we can’t ask for help or that we have to find a way to make it on our own. But, as Forester highlights in the article, we were never meant to carry that burden alone. Instead, when we become Christians, we join a community that exists to support one another. The church is meant to be a healing place, a place that will walk alongside you during challenging times and help you to seek holistic solutions, not just in spiritual matters, but in all things. Prattville Community Church and the volunteers that provide support to that church are doing awesome work to fill the gap of services provided to the members of their community.
So, as a church, how could you partner with legal aid services to provide even more support to those in the Sikeston, MO area? Consider organizing a free comprehensive legal aid event in the area. This allows the church to draw people in as this is a topic that very few have a good handle on and may need assistance quickly in understanding the resources provided by legal aid. Put simply, this is a great opportunity to get dirty and do the messy work of serving your community!
Again, just like the church, legal aid is a service offered to all in the local community. It’s important to keep in mind that while legal aid plays an important role of providing legal advice and resources to local communities, they are not here to fill the void that churches and other organizations are already doing a great job of.
Faith based organizations aim to provide spiritual guidance to individuals who may need support, while, at the same time, legal aid aims to complement those services by offering practical assistance to individuals dealing with legal matters. It’s easy to get so caught up with our spiritual growth that we forget to also focus on the reality of our day to day lives. The truth is, life isn’t meant to be lived alone and there are people and organizations placed throughout communities around the world that are looking to help carry the burden.
When we understand that legal aid lawyers are seeking to serve and support clients just as much as faith based organizations – in a different, yet complementary way – we are able to have a better understanding of the role that they can play in the pursuit of our dreams and recovery, in some cases, of the lives and fortunes that we have lost.