Dallas church helps furloughed government workers

The government shutdown is now the longest in U.S. history, affecting nearly a million people nationwide.

Here in North Texas, dozens of those affected were showered with prayers, comfort and support Sunday morning at Concord Church in Dallas.

"I'm praying, Lord, because all of us can only imagine what it's like to work and not get a pay check," said Concord Church Senior Pastor Bryan Carter.

Carter recognized nearly 50 members at the 10 AM service who are affected by the shutdown and surprised them with support.

"I want you to know that if you are a government employee, you've been furloughed, we've got a hundred dollar gift card for every single one of you that are here today," Carter told his members.

"To know that they thought of me like this, to give back to me, it really means a lot to me. And I want to thank the Concord family for doing this for me," said a church member who received a gift card.

"It's beautiful. I came today just for prayer for myself and my government family and wasn't expecting what we got today," said Antecia Parker, and I.R.S. essential worker who's feeling the strain.  

"I just got preapproved for a home and that last paycheck was my ernest money. So, I lost the home," she said.

"I'm the breadwinner of my household," said Kevin Knowles, an essential Justice Department employee.

"Sometime we have to work an extra shift because if somebody calls in sick, we are there for 16 hours a day, so it's stressful, but we know that we must to do it because we have to protect society from the criminals that we have behind the bars," said Knowles.

Concord Church is able to provide gift cards, food pantry services and help with utilities through community partnerships.

"At the end of the day it's disheartening and disappointing when politics get in the way of people's survival and daily living," said Carter.

"That's a lot of money that we are going to miss this week, but with the grace of God, we will get through it and hopefully a resolution will come soon," said Knowles.