Twenty local churches will come together for one week in August to perform 1,000 hours of community service work.

“Hope Week 2011,” as it is being called, is the brainchild of Bishop Alan G. Porter, who was installed June 4 as senior pastor of Greater Salem Church in west Charlotte.

A spokesman for Porter said the goal is twofold: to unite local believers in a common mission as well as to demonstrate the goodness of Christ in low-income neighborhoods.

While some participating churches may send volunteers into schools, others may work to pick up litter or help seniors around their homes.

Leach said the plan is to make it a recurring event.

“No one church loves the community more than the other,” said minister Byron Leach, Porter’s executive administrator. “We can stand together. No matter what divides us, we are united under the banner of Christ. We also know that we can do better together; we can do more together.”

Leach said at least a dozen churches have signed letters of intent and nearly a dozen more have given verbal commitments. He said the churches represent various races, cultures and denominations, including Methodist, Presbyterian, Church of God in Christ and nondenominational.

Although the idea originated at Greater Salem, Leach said Porter believes no single church should outshine the others. To help ensure that, he said, the effort will soon launch a collective website.

“...The mission of the church is not to be just one church that everyone knows and everybody goes to,” Leach said, “but that we show the best face of Christ, which is a united bride.”

The week of service will culminate on Saturday, August 27, with a joint and community celebration in Southside Park. In addition to food and games, organizers hope to offer free school supplies and gently worn uniforms for children headed back to school.

Greater Salem was thrust into the spotlight last year when a federal jury convicted its former co-pastors, Anthony and Harriet Jinwright, on multiple charges related to tax evasion. The two are currently serving prison terms in West Virginia. Shortly before the couple was sentenced, Greater Salem was forced to seek bankruptcy protection after defaulting on a $5 million loan.

Asked how Greater Salem is coping with recent events, Leach said, “We’re growing every Sunday...growing very steadily.”

Editor’s Note: Vendors wishing to contribute food or other supplies for Hope Week 2011 should call Greater Salem at 704-394-4429. Organizers also are looking for local barbers willing to donate free back-to-school haircuts.

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