Members from the Phenix City Church in Phenix City, Ala., gathered on November 17, 2021, for one cause — to be the hands and feet of Jesus! They helped the Laurel Manor Mobile Home Community, for the second year, by providing food for 100 families.
Such an initiative takes lots of planning. Dwayne Campbell, pastor of Phenix City, contacted the community manager to set the date and distribute flyers. Laree Daniel, food pantry director and local elder, worked with the food bank to set aside canned goods, dry goods, and turkeys for that big day. Then, on Sunday, November 14, volunteers assembled 100 bags of food for loading on the food giveaway day. The youngest member of the team, 10-year-old Elijah Crawford, contacted the local television station and newspaper to ask them to cover the event, and they said, “Yes!”
The big day arrived! Volunteers met at the church to transport the bags to the community. Angel Lassalle, first elder, and Daniel headed to the food bank to pick up the turkeys. When they arrived, there were no turkeys, only hams. Lassalle said, “I’m so sorry. We can’t use the hams.” The church members proceeded to share their convictions on clean and unclean foods that the Bible outlines for consumption. Without this additional food, however, the giveaway bags would be lacking. With only 30 minutes before the giveaway was to take place, clients were already lining up, and local media representatives were setting up for the event. The church volunteers needed another plan.
The two volunteers whispered a prayer, and although 100 turkeys would cost more than $1,000, they headed to the local grocery. While checking out with two baskets loaded with turkeys, Daniel received a call from the food bank. The voice said, “Hi, are you the lady who was here a few minutes ago requesting turkeys?” “Yes, I am,” Daniel said. The woman from the food bank said, “Well, we unexpectedly received a pallet of turkeys. You can pick them up now.”
“Praise the Lord!” shouted the two elders as they ran out of the store. “It was a miracle!” recalled Daniel, “God provided the turkeys right on time!” They were able to pick up the miracle turkeys, save $1,000, and head to Laurel Manor just in time. Daniel later said, “We hope people leave with more than just a bag; we hope they leave with the love of Jesus.”
More than 60 people requested Bible studies, and the pastoral team is making plans now to go back into the community to give the studies. “And the Gospel is not just preaching the Word, but also acting in doing the deeds and the good things that Christ would have done in bringing healing and restoration for the lives of the community,” said Campbell. Please pray that the Laurel community will also receive the Bread of Life as the Bible studies are given. Local media coverage is available at www.gscsda.org/gsc-today/phenixthanksgiving21.
Gulf States | February 2022
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