Listen. Obey. Risk. Listen. Obey. Risk.
Listen. Obey. Risk. Testimonies, Facts and Action Projects www.SendSC.org Hunger Relief
Provided by the Missions Mobilization Group. © 2015 South Carolina Baptist Convention These resources are made possible through the Cooperative Program Ministry support of your local church. Acts 1:8
TstmnesFctsProj_052615v1.indd 2-3
5/26/15 1:52 PM
FACTS
TESTIMONIES A middle-aged man became a Christian in his teens. He became disillusioned by his church experience and began living a hedonistic lifestyle. Several years ago he was involved in the terrible auto accident that left him in a coma for four months. During his long recovery he received help through our food ministry. He was on total disability and received $16 per month in food stamps. He had no food for at least one week per month. Now he has found his way back to Christ and become a new, very active church member. —It started with one box of food.
In five years over a quarter million pounds of food has been given to the hungry in Bamberg County through the Baptist food pantry in Denmark. It has been given, bag by bag, with a smile and prayer in the name of Jesus. As the pantry director, responsible for this ministry I get to see how the Lord has blessed in so many ways over the past five years. Through the Golden Harvest Food Bank we purchase about 30 pounds each month. We also receive surplus food through the food bank system in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. Members of the churches of Barnwell/Bamberg Association faithfully pray, contribute and volunteer. Individuals who feel the call to this volunteer driven ministry, serve. Churches from other denominations, businesses, civic groups and individuals from the community also contribute. Our cadre of volunteers reflects the community. The majority of our volunteers are former or current recipients. Our purpose as a ministry is to glorify Christ and serve others in need. It is a joy. Of all the many gifts and blessings we received through this ministry, one blessing outstrips them all. So far, 25 food recipients have prayed to receive the greatest gift: an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ. Midland Park Community Ministries began feeding local veterans in January. The response has been phenomenal! The first veteran to walk through the doors was accompanied by his sister. “My brother has been through so much lately—and now he’s having trouble working, so being able to get food on a regular basis will make such a huge difference. We are so grateful that we can come to a nice place to get food and clothing.” The veterans ministry takes place each Saturday. We can never thank these patriots enough for their service. After a long, hard day of serving in the pantry closing time had finally arrived. Then a woman in her late 50s showed up. She was initially told that we were closed and she could return the next day. She began to weep and shared that she had been praying for days for God to help her and finally she found a neighbor who offered to drive her to UCM. Our receptionist related to me that there was just something about this woman that made her feel like we needed to make an exception and see her that day. This woman has a 10th grade education. She was dressed in a combination of mismatched clothing for which she apologized but said wearing layers helped her stay warm. She lives alone and exists on a fixed income of $733 per month. She experienced years of domestic abuse inflicted on her by her former husband. Once our interview was complete and I explained UCM would pay her electric bill and provide her some food, she jumped up and began to shout praises to God. She created a scene that blessed all within earshot. From this experience it continues to sustain and encourage me in my work as director of UCM.
TstmnesFctsProj_052615v1.indd 4-5
15 million, or approximately 20%, of children in the United States live in poverty. According to USDA estimates, 9 million, or 20% of households with children under 18, were food insecure for 2013. Research indicates that even mild under nutrition during critical periods of growth impacts the behavior of young children, their school performance, and their overall cognitive development. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, an estimated 20 million children lived in food insecure households in 2013, an increase of 15% over 2012. 30% of client households with seniors had to choose between buying food and paying for utilities and heating fuel. (Hunger in America 2013)
ACTION PROJECTS Lead your church or specific group of your church in gathering an offering for the SBC world hunger fund. Start a hunger ministry Dine in, not out for world hunger night. Plan, promote and conduct a churchwide hunger awareness meal. Conduct a hunger walk/run with proceeds going to the Southern Baptist world hunger fund.
Nearly half of all non-elderly low income families that used our food pantry last year were working families with children. It is estimated that during 2013, 42 million people lived in households that sometimes were unable to acquire enough feed because of insufficient money. What Southern Baptists are doing about the plot of hunger in North America: over $1.1 million in domestic hunger funds was distributed to 1300 hunger ministries in the US in 2013. Over 5 million meals were fed to the hungry in North America with domestic hunger funds. The gospel was shared with over 1 million people, at that point need. There were over 23,000 professions of faith through hunger ministries. Conduct a hunger carwash with proceeds going to the Southern Baptist world hunger fund. Summer lunch program. Hunters/fishermen against the world hunger Contact a local food bank or other ministry that distributes food to the hungry. Ask them for specific types of food they need. Then plan promote and conduct a youth scavenger hunt for food items in your community.
5/26/15 1:52 PM
Provided by the Missions Mobilization Group. © 2015 South Carolina Baptist Convention These resources are made possible through the Cooperative Program Ministry support of your local church. Acts 1:8
TstmnesFctsProj_052615v1.indd 2-3
5/26/15 1:52 PM
FACTS
TESTIMONIES A middle-aged man became a Christian in his teens. He became disillusioned by his church experience and began living a hedonistic lifestyle. Several years ago he was involved in the terrible auto accident that left him in a coma for four months. During his long recovery he received help through our food ministry. He was on total disability and received $16 per month in food stamps. He had no food for at least one week per month. Now he has found his way back to Christ and become a new, very active church member. —It started with one box of food.
In five years over a quarter million pounds of food has been given to the hungry in Bamberg County through the Baptist food pantry in Denmark. It has been given, bag by bag, with a smile and prayer in the name of Jesus. As the pantry director, responsible for this ministry I get to see how the Lord has blessed in so many ways over the past five years. Through the Golden Harvest Food Bank we purchase about 30 pounds each month. We also receive surplus food through the food bank system in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. Members of the churches of Barnwell/Bamberg Association faithfully pray, contribute and volunteer. Individuals who feel the call to this volunteer driven ministry, serve. Churches from other denominations, businesses, civic groups and individuals from the community also contribute. Our cadre of volunteers reflects the community. The majority of our volunteers are former or current recipients. Our purpose as a ministry is to glorify Christ and serve others in need. It is a joy. Of all the many gifts and blessings we received through this ministry, one blessing outstrips them all. So far, 25 food recipients have prayed to receive the greatest gift: an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ. Midland Park Community Ministries began feeding local veterans in January. The response has been phenomenal! The first veteran to walk through the doors was accompanied by his sister. “My brother has been through so much lately—and now he’s having trouble working, so being able to get food on a regular basis will make such a huge difference. We are so grateful that we can come to a nice place to get food and clothing.” The veterans ministry takes place each Saturday. We can never thank these patriots enough for their service. After a long, hard day of serving in the pantry closing time had finally arrived. Then a woman in her late 50s showed up. She was initially told that we were closed and she could return the next day. She began to weep and shared that she had been praying for days for God to help her and finally she found a neighbor who offered to drive her to UCM. Our receptionist related to me that there was just something about this woman that made her feel like we needed to make an exception and see her that day. This woman has a 10th grade education. She was dressed in a combination of mismatched clothing for which she apologized but said wearing layers helped her stay warm. She lives alone and exists on a fixed income of $733 per month. She experienced years of domestic abuse inflicted on her by her former husband. Once our interview was complete and I explained UCM would pay her electric bill and provide her some food, she jumped up and began to shout praises to God. She created a scene that blessed all within earshot. From this experience it continues to sustain and encourage me in my work as director of UCM.
TstmnesFctsProj_052615v1.indd 4-5
15 million, or approximately 20%, of children in the United States live in poverty. According to USDA estimates, 9 million, or 20% of households with children under 18, were food insecure for 2013. Research indicates that even mild under nutrition during critical periods of growth impacts the behavior of young children, their school performance, and their overall cognitive development. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, an estimated 20 million children lived in food insecure households in 2013, an increase of 15% over 2012. 30% of client households with seniors had to choose between buying food and paying for utilities and heating fuel. (Hunger in America 2013)
ACTION PROJECTS Lead your church or specific group of your church in gathering an offering for the SBC world hunger fund. Start a hunger ministry Dine in, not out for world hunger night. Plan, promote and conduct a churchwide hunger awareness meal. Conduct a hunger walk/run with proceeds going to the Southern Baptist world hunger fund.
Nearly half of all non-elderly low income families that used our food pantry last year were working families with children. It is estimated that during 2013, 42 million people lived in households that sometimes were unable to acquire enough feed because of insufficient money. What Southern Baptists are doing about the plot of hunger in North America: over $1.1 million in domestic hunger funds was distributed to 1300 hunger ministries in the US in 2013. Over 5 million meals were fed to the hungry in North America with domestic hunger funds. The gospel was shared with over 1 million people, at that point need. There were over 23,000 professions of faith through hunger ministries. Conduct a hunger carwash with proceeds going to the Southern Baptist world hunger fund. Summer lunch program. Hunters/fishermen against the world hunger Contact a local food bank or other ministry that distributes food to the hungry. Ask them for specific types of food they need. Then plan promote and conduct a youth scavenger hunt for food items in your community.
5/26/15 1:52 PM
