I love this picture. It’s a picture of the church. It showed up yesterday in The Valley Times under the “Lifestyles” section (which of course is the appropriate to put this picture rather than the “Religion” section). The caption tells about how several groups came together to help feed some hungry friends in LaFayette, AL: A Baptist Church, a grocery store, a car dealership; a funeral home, Cornerstone “Unity” Methodist Church, a bank, and a barber shop.
But there is a great story behind this picture. It started with a few Cornerstone folks who had a connection with Carl Ashford, a gentleman who operates “A Vision to Feed” (a donations based organization, that simply feeds hungry people). These few people rounded up their small groups and even called up some new faces that they had just met at the last Cornerstone 101. There was nothing published on the website, no strategic mass communication, no announcement at the end of the service on Sunday. Rather, it was more like a groundswell…a buzz between friends who knew other friends who knew some other people. It was an organic movement that turned into something beautiful.
It get’s better. They all showed up in LaFayette last Saturday morning to help cook 435 meals. They served alongside each other and were ready to feed those who came hungry as Carl had planned. But not many folks showed up. The group waited around looking at each other until Brian Caldwell in true UPS fashion said, “Pack ‘em up, we’re gonna take it to the people.” (Brian just so happens to be the UPS driver for this area and knew exactly where the most needy people lived…he was the one who delivered their meds.) So this little band of people loaded up with to-go boxes and went to the neighborhoods, knocking on doors, passing out smoked chicken, veggies and hot-dogs for the kids.
I love this story. It was a shared experience among these friends and they saw a new side of each other that day. And this happened because these people have a fundamental understanding that they are the church…the very hands and feet of Jesus Christ in East Alabama today. I chalk this up as a great win for the Kingdom.
Be the church.
RUSTY HUTSON
JOSH AGERTON
BRIAN JOHNSON
JACK FISHER
JULIA FARROW
SCOTT FILLMER
LEE CADDEN
APRIL OLIVE
Thanks for sharing this, Josh. I believe it was just as much a blessing for us serving as it was for those whom we served. God strategically placed the right people together to carry out this mission for Him, and I thank Him for the opportunity. I can’t think of a time before this when Nic and I were out doing something for 5 hours on a Saturday and were energized, rather than exhausted at the end of it. I pray that we will find more opportunities like this in our own community. There are so many among us who need to feel God’s love.
I have to tell you Josh, serving with this group of folks was more than awesome. And behind this group that came out Saturday was a whole other group that “showed up” in other ways! When we talked about getting 200 hotdogs for the kids, they “showed up” with 300 hotdogs, ketchup and mustard! When we asked for prayer for the mission and the elderly being served, they said “we’ve already started!” …And we could feel it – no doubt! Each person in His Church is so important, and each small gift and talent can create something SO BIG. Wow. You know, when God tells you to do something, don’t doubt it, just get going!
Thanks for posting Josh!