Client Spotlight: Mother Mary Hipps and Perfecting Truth Ministries

Recently, we were honored to cater for Perfecting Truth Ministries, by way of the newly inducted Mother Mary Hipps. Through this we have had the most awesome time bringing them the comfort food we love to share with you all and are proud to announce them as our June Client Spotlight!

We are excited to share with you the incredible work being done by Perfecting Truth Ministries, a beacon of hope and inspiration in our midst. Led by Pastor Tommy Neal and First Lady Letanya Neal, this Riverview-based church is dedicated to perfecting the body of Christ while making a positive impact on the lives of those in our community.

At Perfecting Truth Ministries, their mission is to guide and inspire hope, and they do so through their weekly services held on Sundays at 11 am and Wednesdays at 7 pm. These gatherings provide a nurturing environment for spiritual growth, fellowship, and worship. The dynamic leadership of Pastor Tommy Neal and the unwavering support of First Lady Letanya Neal create an atmosphere of love and compassion, allowing individuals to deepen their faith and strengthen their relationship with God.

One of the ways Perfecting Truth Ministries demonstrates their commitment to the community is through their partnership with ECHO (Empowering Communities, Helping Others). Together, they strive to meet the needs of those who are less fortunate. Through the church and this organization, essential items are provided to individuals and families in need, free of charge. This powerful collaboration allows them to make a tangible difference in the lives of those facing difficult circumstances, extending a helping hand and offering hope where it is needed the most.

Another significant initiative undertaken by Perfecting Truth Ministries is their unwavering support for teen parents. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by young parents, the church hosts educational courses at the local high school, specializing in budgeting, taxes, and maintaining a healthy home life while entering the workforce. Through these courses, they equip these young parents with the necessary skills to navigate their new roles successfully. In addition to education, Perfecting Truth Ministries also accepts and provides necessities for these young parents, such as diapers, wipes, clothes, car seats, strollers and so much more. By meeting these practical needs, they demonstrate their dedication to ensuring that no young parent feels alone or overwhelmed.

Perfecting Truth Ministries embodies the spirit of evangelism, constantly seeking ways to give back to their community. Just like Livy O’s, they may be small in size, but their heart to spread faith and the willingness to help those in need around them knows no bounds. Pastor Tommy Neal, First Lady Letanya Neal, and the entire church community are committed to being leaders in our community, exemplifying the teachings of Jesus by their actions and extending a helping hand to all who need it.

If you are seeking a place to grow spiritually, connect with others, and make a positive impact in our community, we invite you to join Perfecting Truth Ministries for their Sunday services at 11 am and Wednesday services at 7 pm. Together, let us strive to perfect ourselves as we reach out to perfect our community.

www.perfectingtruth.org

The interview:

What do you feel your role is within the community?

• We line up with what the scripture says, and we want to lead/help guide in our community. Our mission is to show people that there is hope, and we here to be a light.

How do you execute this role in the community and in your personal lives as well?

• We try to practice what we preach. Our evangelism team’s principle is “call to help/guide”. We have a program at a local high school to provide support for pregnant teens. If they have a child or are pregnant we don’t want them to feel alone or that nobody cares, so we provide donations such as pampers milk, you name it. We want people to see us and think “That’s a true church. They do what they say they’re gonna do.”
• To execute our role in our personal lives one thing we have to realize is that in order to be able to give to/provide for others, you have to be able to give to/provide to yourself first. You cannot deplete yourself, it’s all about giving out of your overflow. A lot of people try to give out of what they have and end up depleting themselves. So by “walking the walk” as pastor says we read the word, read self-help help books, attending seminars and reaching out to the people before us for wisdom. Charity also begins at home and then spreads abroad, because your family sees you more than the people at the church. If they don’t see that you are exemplifying the same principles at home, what do you look like going out and doing it for others?

What are your core values?

• The ability to do onto others as I would have do onto me. My value is treating people right, family, love, integrity. What I do behind closed doors is more important for me than what you all see me do. I have honesty, and right and wrong. If I’m not able to see what wrong is for me, how can I say what wrong can be for you? Right or wrong doesn’t have a face, if I’m wrong then I’m wrong. But a lot of people try to push what is wrong onto others. But what about what I did wrong? We’re all walking the walk and are on that journey, and we have not arrived until we take the last breath, so that means every day we can get something right.
• Another thing that we’re big on is dealing with partiality. If someone is trying to treat someone different than another, we can’t stand it. It happens so much in church and in the workplace. Everybody that walks through that door, we treat the same. I think that where the churches have gotten in trouble.
• What we stand for as a church is to equip the body of Christ with that truth. It not only helps us but allow us to better help the community.
• We also learned how to value time with people, and to slow down.

What advice can you give to anyone reading this article?

• Take it all in, slow down, and move at the pace god gives you.
• Keep your vision fresh. If you’re just doing the work without grasping the vision, then you lost what everything was all about.
• Know who you are and know your limits, you are only human. Write your goal in pencil, not pen.
• We are a culture that puts god first before working on other things

What are some ways people can give back in the community in your church?

• Donations through our evangelism outreach (food, clothing, single parent program), drop off days on our website
• Supporting Project 23: Building a new, larger church
• Giving prayers and time (volunteering), and developing fellowships with other churches

Vote Livy O’s for Tampa Bay Times’ Best Caterer for 2023!

After Winning Business of the Year in 2018 and Official Caterer of the 2021 Super Bowl, we are due for another highlight! Send us some love by letting Tampa Bay Times know that we are the People’s Choice for Best Catering. You can vote up to once per day until Wednesday, June 21st at 11:59 pm .

Livy O’s Superhero Spotlight: Saleema Board

We want to give a congratulations and a happy birthday to Saleema! Joining the family as a part-time banquet staff member in January 2022, her Livy O’s journey has been nothing short of exponential. She became full-time in just a few months, and then moved up as a sales associate. After showing exemplary management and sales skills along with an intense passion for curating and planning events, she was eager to take on a more leading role, being then appointed as Director of Sales and Events.  

She is very warm-hearted and fun to work with, while also performing exceptionally well at event coordinating and communicating with the clients. She also works closely with the marketing team and provides helpful insight. At the events, you can count on her to represent Livy O’s and lead the team while leaving behind a remarkable impression.