Chattanooga Area Ministries See More Demand for Help

The recession sends people to local churches seeking help and answers.

Ministries we spoke with see an increase in requests for assistance and advice.

The pews seem to fill up as pockets get empty.

At First Centenary United Methodist Church Pastor Dwight Kilbourne noticed an increase in attendance.

And 100 more people looking for a helping hand...many over the last three months.

Pastor Kilbourne, "Many of the people who come are people who've never come for help and really don't know how to ask for help."

But along with the need...he's seen an increase in provision.

Pastor Kilbourne, "It's amazing to me how that when times are difficult for others how this church and the other churches rally to the cause.

This Christmas season, members have stepped up to the plate at Hickory Valley Christian Church too.

Where Pastor Dale Lovelady encourages people to remember what's really important.

Dale Lovelady Hickory Valley Christian Church, "Here's where we really start taking self inventory and coming back and say what really is the center of my life. Is it going to be my money and if it is then we are going to be on shaky ground." Jennifer Helton, Crown Financial Ministries,"The phone calls have drastically increased."

And Crown Financial Ministries' Jennifer Helton says they're more desperate too.

It provides advice based on biblical principles.

Helton, "People were on the edge with heavy heavy debt. Now they not only nave heavy debt but they're losing their homes. They're losing jobs. "

She says even with all the loss, there's something to gain.

Helton, "Probably the most important is that if it moves them closer to God who provides everything that could be a huge huge change and a great deal of peace in these uncertain times."

Ministers tell me December is an important time for them because they get a fair amount of their budgets during this month.

For First Centenary for example it's 20 to 22 percent.