Learnings From Trying to Make My Church's Loaves and Fishes Ministry More Relational

Over the last few months, I have found that I need to let go of expectations and worry. First off, expectations are just goals that I want to reach, not what The Holy Spirit has in mind for the church, in whatever form that may be. I remind myself to not get in the way of the Holy Spirit, to listen, to pray and to let the Holy Spirit guide me each time I go to Loaves and Fishes. When I have that mindset, I allow myself to hear what each person is telling me, even if their words are unspoken. Sometimes a hug is all that is needed between me and someone coming for a bag of fruit or a personal hygiene bag or a prayer.

Secondly, I let go of worry. I do not have a set agenda because I’m not leading what happens in the parking lot at Loaves and Fishes. I can go into the evening with “wishful thinking and planning,” but ultimately, I turn it over to God to lead me in His ministry. And each month it works out the way it’s supposed to, and the journey is never the same (sounds like the book of Acts, doesn’t it?).

The last thing I tried and purged was trying to get some of the regular parking lot moms with children to gather in a free space at the neighborhood library, not far from the parking lot of the church where we hold Loaves and Fishes. What I found was my regulars stopped showing up at this meal site in March and I haven’t seen them since. The groups I’ve seen lately have been larger (400+), many new faces from month to month, meaning more transient in nature, and less children. I still have a few older people who live within walking distance, but they are usually getting 12-15 meals to take back to the senior center for their neighbors. The formality of gathering inside to talk isn’t necessary when I see folks stop by my car to see what donated items I’m handing out and more importantly to ask for prayers. I’m still encouraging them to seek prayers
from our church; however, I am now seeing more of the regulars ASKING me for a prayer card. They tell me what to write down and then they begin to tell me their story, and sometimes the stories are long, difficult for them to share but they are relieved someone is willing to listen to them.

Relationships and trust are the green shoots emerging and growing from the interactions in the parking lot. I am grateful when someone shares a story whether it be stories of sadness, hardships, heartbreak and even when they share their successes! I celebrate and thank God each time when someone says “yes, please pray for me” and then their story flows.

Loaves and Fishes has been an outreach ministry for Christ Church, Woodbury for over three decades. During the pandemic, the emphasis on ministry disappeared with the focus shifting to service, providing to-go boxed meals. That emphasis continues today. Two years ago, after observing and working in the kitchen for a year, I asked if I could bring back ministry to the dining room.  Little by little, serving water, sitting and listening, sharing names, stories, and getting to know those who stayed inside to eat their meals, the Holy Spirit began to provide more than just food, but food for the soul through prayer and developing relationships.