The Garland Police Department has expressed gratitude to Casa View Baptist Church for the donation of 1,025 stuffed animals. Officers will keep the plush toys in their squad cars to bring comfort to children in stressful situations.
According to church member Julie Bailey, the outreach ministry project was fittingly called “Bearing Witness – Operation: Care Bears for Cops.”
“The Garland police officers will carry these snuggly friends in their squad cars for use when they respond to distress calls. These furry friends will provide comfort to children who find themselves in traumatic situations over which they have no control,” Bailey said.
Lead Pastor Karl Tingle said that Julie and Rick Bailey were the driving force behind the project.
“Rick and Julie lead the ministry at Casa View called “Feet4Him,” he said. “It is an amazing ministry that focuses on trying to be the hands and feet of Christ in the community. It was Feet4Him that discovered the need the GPD had for bears and they developed the plan to collect the bears.”
The original goal was to collect 300-500 bears. Tingle believes that the reason the total of bears delivered was over 1,000 was directly related to Julie’s passion and ability to demonstrate the need.
A decision has already been made to repeat the project next year.
The church holds a worship service Sundays at 9 a.m. that mixes familiar choruses and hymns of faith. Worshippers wear everything from their “Sunday best” to casual attire. Karl Tingle presents the Bible in a simple, practical way.
At 10:30 a.m. the church hosts a contemporary worship service that features both the traditional and contemporary styles of worship. Guests and members will enjoy worship that embraces both updated classes and contemporary worship in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. The pastor teaches the Word of God in a meaningful way.
The church also offers a variety of Bible studies and life groups, as well as ministries for children, students, men and women.
Casa View Baptist Church is located at 130 East Interstate 30 in Garland.
“Here at Casa View we believe the church is not a building, but instead a body. A unified people who are on a mission to make God’s glory known on the campus, in the workplace, throughout the community and beyond. Through random acts of kindness or overseas mission trips, we are committed to changing the world through the “Good News” of Jesus Christ.” Casa View Baptist Church website.