New Jersey Megachurch Takes ‘Organic’ Approach to Community Service

Kingdom Church, which has 6,100 members spread across campuses in Ewing and Burlington, N.J., is taking a different approach to church ministry by partnering with 14 local organizations to further their existing efforts and impact when serving the community.

Motivated by their biblical beliefs, hundreds of Kingdom Church members participate monthly through the church’s ICARE Ministry to assist in meeting the needs of the community through other organizations.

“There are so many organizations who are already being the hands and feet of Jesus through serving our community,” says senior pastor Dharius Daniels. “As Christians, we are called to serve those in need. But rather than developing Kingdom Church-specific programs, we want to partner together with these existing organizations to provide financial, physical and spiritual support toward their efforts.”

Kingdom Church has worked with various community organizations over the past 12 months, including assisting in painting a mural at Trenton YMCA; visiting patients at the Arcadia Nursing Home; feeding the homeless at Trenton Salvation Army and Rescue Mission of Trenton; and providing over 2,500 emergency blankets, 4,500 water bottles and 700 toys, coats and clothing items to organizations such as Anchor House, Womanspace and HomeFront. 

Most recently, Kingdom Church has made an impact on the Young Scholars’ Institute (YSI) in Trenton, participating in its “Yard Sale and Clean Up Day,” during which church members helped coordinate volunteer efforts, clear landscaping and clean the facility. 

“The mission of Young Scholars’ Institute is to empower Trenton-area youth through educational, recreational and cultural activities to help them develop the skills necessary to excel academically and to maximize their academic, vocational and career choices,” says Jerri L. Morrison, executive director of YSI. “Kingdom Church was a blessing to YSI. I am so thankful for their help.”

Daniels, who was invited to be a featured speaker at Bishop T.D. Jakes’ 2013 youth event in Dallas, Texas, in conjunction with the annual MegaFest, believes in taking a practical approach to meet the needs of those within the diverse community.

“We take an organic approach to community involvement,” Daniels says. “We have individuals within our church from all walks of life. Some are in need of financial support. Others are dealing with corporate or marriage issues. We customize different groups, classes and ministries to help people in a way that is most helpful to their situation and lifestyle.”

Founded in 2005, Kingdom Church is a nondenominational church. With its main campus located in Ewing, Kingdom Church also has a congregation in Burlington, which currently meets at Burlington Township Middle School. The church is hopeful it can build a smaller satellite campus for its Burlington congregation over the next year.