Repeatedly we hear from Benjy Thompson, CEO of the Statesboro-Bulloch Development Authority, that one of our communities’ most marketable advantages is our proximity to the Georgia ports. When we hear him speak about this, we typically think of this advantage when it comes to recruiting larger industries to our community. Sometimes, however, a little different kind of industry decides to head our way.

One of Statesboro’s newest businesses, DirectLine Ministry, chose to relocate their operations from Ohio here six months ago because of our proximity to the ports. Paul and Debbie Deem, founders of DirectLine Ministry, worked with local realtor Craig Hunter to purchase a 38,000-square-foot warehouse and offices on Stockyard Road.

The Deem’s, former missionaries in the Philippines and Mexico, began DirectLine Ministry about 32 years ago. Their mission is to provide ministry supplies in poverty-stricken areas of the world.  

Today, Directline Ministry is a supply line for missionaries, pastors, orphanages and Christian schools by shipping donated supplies to more than 30 countries around the world. The supplies they provide are Bibles, scripture booklets, tracts, church furniture, medical equipment, folding chairs, folding tables, musical instruments, building supplies and Christmas Joy gift bags.

After Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and the Gulf coast area in 2005, they started helping those churches with donated disaster relief supplies. Since then they have collected and distributed supplies to disaster-hit areas both in the US and abroad. Also, they have distributed supplies to North Carolina, Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee, West Virginia, Philippines, Honduras, Haiti and Puerto Rico.

“As the ministry grew and the in-land shipping costs increased, it became evident we needed to be closer to a seaport,” said Paul Deem, director of DirectLine Ministry. “In addition to the attractiveness of Savanah being one of the largest container ports in the United States, we also have four children and 14 grandchildren living in Georgia.”

Since relocating to Statesboro they have sent nine shipments to missionaries, which included 10,556 Bibles, 65,832 New Testaments, 405,420 scripture booklets, 460,000 tracts and other needed supplies.

They are working now to collect Christmas Joy gift bags from churches across the country. The ministry supplies the bags to churches with instructions on how to fill the bags with supplies. The churches fill the Christmas Joy bags with an itemized list provided, such as school supplies, hygiene items, toys and candy. A scripture booklet is added to each bag. They are collected and shipped to children in poverty areas around the world and they pray to fill 10,000 bags this year. 

Volunteers are always needed throughout the year to help pack boxes and to prepare 40-foot containers for shipping. If you would like to know more about DirectLine Ministry please visit: www.directlineministry.com or call the office at (912) 243-9999. 

DirectLine Ministry is funded by churches and individuals of like faith with a heart to reach the world with the gospel and provide humanitarian aid to those in need.