We live in the most blessed country, during the most blessed time in history, but Americans are more stressed and depressed than ever. People have 1,000 Facebook friends but not five people they can count on in times of need. Suicide is up and church attendance is down.

We have to ask big questions, think differently and come together as a community to improve residents' lives in South Georgia. It is going to take collaboration, communication and coordination between faith, community, business, government and nonprofits.

Atlanta and Washington, D.C., can help but South Georgia has to help itself. 

Rural Georgia is suffering. We need more jobs, better education, more affordable housing, more loving stable families and a greater commitment to personal responsibilities. Sadly, it is the last two that are the hardest thing to improve and quantify now. We took those for granted for decades and now are losing them.

The faith community and the 100-plus churches just in Lowndes County have to come together to help. You can’t save a soul if you don’t heal the spirit. Feeding, clothing and sheltering people are key. People will come into churches if the congregation goes out into the community. Let us meet the needs where they are, when they are.

Mission work in the community doesn’t have to be hard. Look at your church and programs and figure out what you do well (food pantry, clothes closets, relationship ministry), and focus on that, but support other churches that do the rest well. Partner and support local charities that specialize in these services.

There are some amazing nonprofits that know how to feed, clothe, shelter, mentor and heal people, and all your church needs to do is give them money and volunteers. Money is not the only problem. The real problem is coordinating those resources effectively and efficiently. The United Way partners with 20 amazing agencies but there are dozens more that we can connect with you.