Jan
18
TBOWH Updates – January 2010
Filed Under TBOWH Updates
The 2009 final numbers are in!!! $901,401 total receipts for the Texas Baptist Offering for World Hunger! This number reflects a $162,123 increase over 2008. Well done good and faithful Texas Baptists! Needy people all over the world have been helped because of you.
One of the examples of this help comes from Redeeming Grace Baptist Church in San Antonio where World Hunger funds were sent to their food pantry this year. Marion Thomas, a member of Redeeming Grace, told us, “After suffering a neck injury, I thought I had nothing left to give. I couldn’t sit in one place for extended periods, nor could I stand on my feet for long. I took 12 pills a day simply to make it through the pain.”
Marion decided that what she could give, she’d offer up to God by volunteering at Redeeming Grace Baptist Church. There she discovered she had much more left than she ever imagined. What began as short periods of helping in various efforts around the church evolved into full days of activity. Then it became several days a week of ministry as she started the congregation’s food distribution effort. She took small steps of faith, and she says God rewarded her for being obedient.
The first year of the outreach, the congregation provided food for about 2,000 people. As Thomas worked, she felt herself growing stronger, able to work harder and longer without pain. Two years later and pain free as the congregation’s administrator, Thomas coordinates one of the largest hunger ministries in South Central Texas, providing food for more than 35,000 people this year.
“I’m just a living witness when you give yourself to Christ and you help other people, He will help you,” she said of the healing she has experienced as she has served others.
For thousands across South Central Texas, Thomas’ commitment to serve was a God-send before they knew they’d need it. When the economy crashed this year and more people became down on their luck, Redeeming Grace Baptist Church’s volunteer base and financial resources already had to grown to the point that the congregation was there for them.
Some people drive more than 50 miles to get food from the church. Individuals who line up an hour before food is distributed tell stories of losing their jobs, of working but not being able to support their families or of being homeless. One person came to church after not eating for three days, begging volunteers for anything to eat, even cat food. Many who come to the church for sustenance are elderly. Many others are single parents who come to the church with young children in tow.
The congregation’s desire to feed the hungry embodies the spirit of Texas Hope 2010, an initiative of Texas Baptists to pray for others, care for people in need and share the gospel with every Texan by Easter 2010. Redeeming Grace Christian Church recently was selected to receive a $10,000 Texas Hope 2010 Care Grant through the Texas Baptist Offering for World Hunger.
“It’s a very difficult time for people,” said Bishop Brent Bryant, Sr., the church’s senior pastor. “I’m hearing all kinds of stories, all kinds of issues that are happening. I understand that because of our economy. People are hungry, so we’re doing the very best we can by offering them food.”
The first 5th Sunday Observance for World Hunger will be January 31. New video clip highlighting water wells in Peru available for free download.
Download Video
Take an offering at your church on January 31…many will live because you do.
Donate now!
We value your input and suggestions.
Your comments and recommended resources are welcome in the comments box below.
Comments
Leave a Reply