Ministry Spotlight: Freely Given Freely Received Ministry

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Valley Christian Magazine had the blessed opportunity to speak with a local ministry Freely Given Freely Received and their founders Ray & Esmer Perez. Ray shared that he along with his wife Esmer were at a Bible Study at their house when Isiah 58:7-9 kept showing up week after week. They knew God was trying to show them something..but what was it.  

Here’s their story in their words…

VCM: When was Freely Given Freely Received (FGFR) started?

FGFR: FGFR was officially founded back in June 2011. But it was 6 years ago when we first felt lead to start this Ministry.

VCM: What moved you to start FGFR?

FGFR: Isaiah 58:7-9 was put on our hearts by God. It says,. “Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them…”   We knew there were needs but we weren’t sure if we should do something about it. My wife Esmer had surgery and when she came out she told me that we had to do it! We fasted and knew that He wanted us to feed the poor and clothe the needy.

VCM: How are some of the ways FGFR is influencing our community?

FGFR: The families that are being served by the ministry and receiving food and clothing are experiencing the love of God. They are meeting people that not only recognize their struggles and physical needs but look deeper into their hearts and souls. It is not just about meeting physical needs but meeting their spiritual needs through the word of God.

VCM: What services do you offer?

FGFR: The ministry provides food and clothing for families through churches that have been established in colonias throughout the Valley, and a one on one delivery to their home that comes with prayer and encouragement for hope, plus building them up for a better tomorrow. A central location that is open once a month so that families can come and receive food, clothes and prayer.

VCM: What are some of the ministries FGFR is involved in?

FGFR: Pack back & school supplies drive, Christmas Community Outreach, hundreds of toys are donated and distributed, Coat drive, Health Fairs, in collaboration with medical personnel. FGFR has partnered with FCA and Coach David Keith to hold a Basketball Camp for children in a colonia that is scheduled for June. A women’s conference was also held at a church in a colonia as an outreach program.

VCM: How do you see God working through your Ministry?

FGFR: In amazing ways! Every event that has been organized and held you see God putting everything in place and providing all that is needed. We stand back in awe at each function and let go and watch Him work as people come and lives are touched with His love.   One example was on our very first event, we were in south Alamo. We were giving away backpacks to kids for the start of school. We only had around 70 backpacks to give away. Well, 150 kids showed up and somehow each kid received a backpack. We were amazed. We were even able to feed over 80 families! The Lord provided! We knew this was confirmation from God for go forward.   Another example was during a Christmas toy give-a-way. We had 400 toys but 700 kids showed up. When the night was over…we had 2 bags left over of toys. We thought…God, there is no way. Volunteers ran to their pastors and shared. They said there was no way…we packed 150 bags of toys ourselves. Again, The Lord provided. Praise God.

VCM: Where do you believe God is taking you in the next 5 years?

FGFR: FGFR is going to expand its outreach into more colonias and partner with pastors to be able to minister year round and have a presence throughout the Valley to meet the growing needs of the families as the population of the area expands. A major undertaking for the ministry that is currently in the planning stages is to establish an emergency care facility/residential for battered and abused children.

VCM: How can people get involved?

FGFR: By contacting Ray Perez at 956-569-6270 or email perezr_2458@yahoo.com; Esmer Perez at 956-907-2961 or email munozesmer_24@yahoo.com; Susan Valdez at 956-279-9369 or email susanvaldez59@gmail.com.