Hunger Fund impacts lives in Arkansas
- Oct 8, 2008
Editor’s note: On Oct. 12, Southern Baptists will observe World Hunger Sunday and collect offerings for the Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund. Some of those funds assist hunger ministries here in Arkansas. Following are examples of how Arkansas Baptists have used those funds to feed the hungry, impact lives and share the gospel.
Arkansas Baptist hunger ministries large and small are ministering to needs of families all across the Natural State. From feeding programs offering hot meals to ministries distributing groceries, Baptists are helping to alleviate hunger right here in Arkansas.
“I give thanks for the churches in Arkansas who are meeting the physical and spiritual needs of people through their hunger ministries,” said Diana Lewis, group coordinator for church and community ministries for the Arkansas Baptist State Convention missions ministries team. “Big church or small church, city church or rural church, we all have people living in great need in that mission field right outside the doors of our churches.”
Texarkana Friendship Center, a ministry of Southwest Association, feeds almost 20,000 individuals a quarter, including about 11,500 hot meals, almost 2,000 people fed through grocery items and another 6,000 through distribution of bread, fresh produce and baby food. From April through September, the hunger ministry resulted in seven people receiving Christ as Savior.
Bryan Bixler, executive director of the center, recently reported some specific success stories.
A woman the ministry had helped decided to volunteer to help others. She wanted to give back to a place that had helped her. She approached Bixler about it on a Friday. He did not have time to talk with her about it and asked her to return on Monday.
He said often such people never return. But this woman showed up on Monday.
“God had ordained for her to come back as He had bigger plans than just talking about volunteering,” Bixler said. “As we began to talk, it became apparent she did not have assurance of salvation.”
Bixler presented the gospel.
“She confessed ‘Jesus is Lord’ there in my office,” he said. “… She has since been faithfully serving.”
Another woman had been coming for food and often stayed for the chapel service. She often asked for prayer for her health.
One day, home health providers came to the center to provide health education and free blood pressure and blood sugar tests. When they tested the woman, her blood sugar was above 600. They called an ambulance and rushed her to the hospital, likely saving her life.
“We prayed for her and feel God had her and the home health company here on the appointed day,” said Bixler.
The first Wednesday after the hospital released her, she was at the center’s chapel service. She expressed a desire to study the Bible.
“I believe God spared her life, and I see such positive change in her outlook,” Bixler said. “This encounter never would have been possible had we not been able to provide lunch to the masses. I thank the Arkansas Baptist State Convention and the North American Mission Board for their generous support of the Friendship Center’s hunger ministry.”
Trinity Community Church, part of the Greene County Association, averages only about 30 on Sunday mornings, but that doesn’t stop them from meeting hunger needs.
Through a ministry called One Step Ministries, they provide groceries to about 700 families each quarter. From April to September, their efforts resulted in 13 decisions to follow Christ.
One young couple they had helped moved away when the wife became pregnant. When they returned, they faced difficult financial problems. They had little or no furniture and household goods. Trinity Community Church helped them not only with food, but with their other needs as well.
“We witnessed to them, and now both are going to Trinity Community Church and are planning a baby dedication,” said Melodie Matayabas, administrator of One Step Ministries. “We were blessed to be able to help and see the changes in this family.”
The program recently added several new volunteers. Two of them were saved and baptized after joining the effort, according to Matayabas.
“We were able to witness more because of the extra volunteers, resulting in even eight more being saved and baptized.”
Searcy County Church of Marshall, another smaller church that averages about 40 in Sunday school, reported 24 professions of faith from January through June through their hunger ministry. They average more than 1,000 hot meals served and more than 1,000 people fed through their grocery ministry each quarter.
“The food pantry has been responsible for bringing at least 10 families into our congregation this past year,” said Phyllis Efaw, social ministries chairman. “Although the families are still struggling financially, they seem to be growing in their faith and are experiencing a more stable family life.”
The ministry also sponsors a dental, health, education and job fair, with representatives from North Arkansas College and Clinton hospital personnel assisting.
“We reach a lot of people with this outreach and everyone is given a tract and an invitation to accept Christ before seeing the dentist,” Efaw said.
They also sponsored a cooking and gardening workshop, which included presentations on container gardening, canning and preserving and economical cooking. Attendees received a cookbook of recipes from church members and a copy of the Gospel of John.
During January through June, New Hope Mission of Marion provided about 620 hot meals, 250 sack lunches and distributed grocery items to families in need. Those efforts resulted in 12 professions of faith, according to John Rech, pastor of the mission. The ministry provides hot breakfasts and sack lunches for neighborhood children.
Cass Chapel of Ozark, with an average Sunday school attendance of about 30, provides about 370 boxes of groceries each quarter.
“This ministry continues to be … an excellent way to reach people,” said Ron Clark, pastor.
In a recent quarter, two people came to know Christ through the ministry.
This article is reprinted from the October 2, 2008, issue of the Arkansas Baptist News, the newsjournal of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention.
Further Learning
Learn more about: Faith, Ministry, Citizenship, Hunger/Homelessness,