Church Recognized for Feeding Program
For more than two years, South Texarkana Baptist Church
has been developing a feeding ministry designed to reach
people who can’t come to them.The result has been a program that now provides between 250 and 400 sacks of groceries each week to those in need.
Its work was recently showcased in the Baptist publication, “In Every Thing Pray,” in a report about the Dixie Jackson Arkansas Mission Offering.
The offering helps fund mission work in Arkansas including such projects as starting new churches, purchasing materials for jail and prison ministries, assisting in disaster relief and helping with feeding programs for Arkansas churches.
A portion of the money used to buy food for South Texarkana’s feeding ministry comes from the Dixie Jackson offering, said the Rev. Travis Payne, pastor.
In September alone, the church gave away 20,000 pounds of food to residents in its community.
Church volunteers go door to door in their community because Payne believes this is the best way to really meet people where they are.
“It is a lot of work and it takes a lot of hours, but it is making a difference,” he said.
Not only are they providing much-needed physical food, but they are also helping to feed people spiritually.
“There have been several salvation experiences from this feeding ministry. Christ has provided this. It’s not about what we have done but what he has done,” said Payne. “Anyone can be in a place without food. Over and over again people tell us they didn’t have any food in their house. Going door to door we meet the people and find the ones who wouldn’t be able to come to church to get the groceries.”
Since their story was featured in the publication, several churches have contacted Payne about how they can start this type of ministry.
Payne has put together a manual explaining what to do and how to do it.
“The manual has been very helpful for our volunteers because everyone knows exactly what to do and how to do it,” he said.
