A family who was going to go out of town for Christmas loaded up their SUV with their luggage, took the dog over to a neighbor’s house, entered the coordinates in their GPS and had even recorded a CD with songs for the road. Everything was ready, and they were so relieved to finally be in the car. They were halfway down the street when the woman suddenly cried out to her husband, “We forgot the baby!”
To me that is a picture of Christmas. We trim our trees. We make our list and check it twice. We shop ’til we drop. We go to endless Christmas productions and parties. Then it dawns on us that we forgot the baby: the baby Jesus, the one whom Christmas is all about.
It is possible to celebrate Christmas and forget all about Christ. It is possible to lose Jesus at Christmas. It is possible in this celebration of Jesus’ birth to forget all about Jesus. Thankfully, even when we forget about him, he never forgets about us.
Really, the story of the birth of Jesus is the greatest of all stories. The Bible tells us, “But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.” (Galatians 4:4 NLT).
The Christmas story is a factual, historical event. It still has all the pathos and magic and pageantry of the best Fairy Tales, yet this is a real story. All other stories we’ve heard are, at best, pale imitations of the greatest story ever told. The story of the birth of Jesus started in Heaven and unfolded on Earth.
When the angel appeared to the shepherds and announced, “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11), the angel effectively was saying, “Listen, Earth. Augustus Caesar is not the savior of the world. Jesus is. The savior of the world is not in a palace in Rome. The savior of the world is wrapped in strips of cloth in a manger in Bethlehem.”
Jesus is the most influential person in human history. It has been said that history swings on the hinge of a stable door in Bethlehem. God came to this earth as a baby to die an agonizing death to ransom us from an eternal death sentence. The shadow of the cross lay over the beauty of that first Christmas night. This child was born to die so that we might live.
When we look back at the first Christmas story, we need to remember that the real Christmas tree wasn’t decorated with lights. The real Christmas tree was a cross that Christ hung on. The Bible says, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” (Galatians 3:13 NKJV). Jesus died on a tree – on a cross – for the sin of all of the world. In fact the Bible says, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13 NKJV).
That is why red is the color of Christmas – not because Santa wore red or because we wrap our presents in red paper or attach red bows to holly wreaths or put red bulbs on our trees. Red is the color of Christmas because it is the color of the blood that was shed from the cross for each and every one of us. Jesus died for the sins of the world so he could make available to us the greatest of all gifts.
May you remember the true reason why we celebrate Christmas!
Meet A Volunteer: Keith
Keith has been serving at the Justin site for a little over a year. “I was brought up catholic and never really got into church after I grew up. I started using right out of High School. I was partying with family and friends until I was 25 years old. I put myself in rehab and I knew if I put myself there and could stay clean for the 2 weeks I was there, I could pull through,” Keith said.
After rehab he started working as a rancher and got saved seven years ago. He went all in for Jesus and decided it was best for him and his now ex wife and son to move to Texas for a better living environment. “The passion that God was showing me was so overwhelming I needed to listen to where He wanted me to go, so we went,” he said.
Keith heard about Feed the Need from Josh, who is a leader at the Justin site. Josh is also a leader in celebrate recovery where Keith is a part of too. “He told me about Feed the Need Missions on and off for a year or so. Things happened in Bridgeport and doors got closed so I moved to Denton. When I moved I got involved with Feed the Need Missions. I can now share my testimony of using drugs for 10 years, to the person I am today,” he said with excitement.
“I love Feed the Need Missions. I think people should come and experience it too, and get involved,” Keith said. “The smile on kids face and being able to pray with people and cry with people when they are struggling is what it’s all about, just being there like Jesus would.”
Come Make A Difference
Feed the Need Missions’ ministry is simply to feed people both physically and spiritually. We provide a hot meal on a weekly basis in communities across Texas. This weekly meal allows us to build long-lasting relationships and proclaim the love and message of Christ.
Scott from Bastrop South shared this, “The encouragement that I receive here has helped me grow socially. I am able to talk more about my personal struggles and about God to other people. I’ve had a problem with going to church since my mom has passed away and you guys have helped fill me spiritually.”
Feed the Need Missions depends on our volunteers. Without our dedicated team of volunteers, we would not be able to serve our communities like we do. Debbie from Giddings said, “We get more out of Feed the Need Missions than what we give in to the ministry.”
We need your help! Come make a difference in your community or surrounding area. Be a part of what God is doing through those that serve and those being served.
Check out what a few more of our volunteers and those we serve have said about Feed the Need Missions:
“I’ve never had anyone ask me if they could take my picture,” Jimmy said in tears. “I’ve been coming around here since you started behind the Lumberyard years ago, and now I live on this side of town so I come here on Sunday’s.”– Jimmy from Bastrop North
“We needed something more,” he said “I didn’t realize that I was stuck in the social poverty aspect of my life and my family as well.” – Justin from Smithville
“The encouragement that I receive here has helped me grow socially. I am able to talk more about my personal struggles and about God to other people. I’ve had a problem with going to church since my mom has passed away and you guys have helped fill me spiritually,” – Scott from Bastrop South
“We want to be the church and to love people where they are,” – Jack from LBA
“I’m plugged in now. I come here and do Table Talk to our guests. I translate it to them in Spanish for them to understand the gospel. It feels great to help out, and share God’s love, and it’s also helping me grow,” – Nat from Stony Point
“Feed the Need Missions is about the relationships and sharing the gospel. It’s not about the numbers it’s about a personal connection with them and Jesus Christ,” – Josh from Justin
“I love being able to serve in the ministry. We can’t all go on mission trips due to funds and vacation time, instead me and my family can serve here,“ – Nick from Newark
Come out to one of our communities and be a part of the great work the Lord is doing!
Pray & Reflect With Us: A New Year!
The New Year can often bring a mixed bag of emotions and memories for many of us. Some may have just experienced the best year ever and look forward to an even greater one looming ahead. Others may have just trudged through one deep struggle after another. The fresh calendar year brings desperate hope for things to be better, with an ache for the still-fresh wounds to slowly begin their process of healing.
Whether you’ve just walked through the greatest year of your life, or are incredibly glad to see this one finally over, one truth still rings clear amidst it all. You are not alone. Not ever.
Our God is a “with us” God. On the heels of the celebration of the birth of our King, that reminder has the power to carry us right into a fresh, new start. He is Immanuel, God with us. And though things and people around us shift and change, our God never changes.
In 2020 pray for His Spirit to lead each staff member every step of this New Year, and to guide our decisions and turn our hearts to deeply desire Him above all else. Also pray for wisdom for His strength and power to be constantly present within us. And we ask that you pray that He’d keep us far from the snares and traps of temptations. That He would whisper in our ear when we need to run, and whisper in our heart when we need to stand our ground.
We thank you for your prayers! May you have a blessed and God honoring New Year.
IMPACT STORIES: LBA
From now until the end of the year we will be sharing stories from each of our sites across Texas. Every site has the same mission: to feed people physically and spiritually. We see God using our volunteers and those that come to grow and build relationships with those in Christ. Here are just a few of the stories from our sites this past year.
LBA serves every Thursday starting at 5:00pm at Trinity Riverchase Mobile Home Park located at 135 Navasota Drive, Bastrop, Texas 78602.
LBA (Lake Bastrop Acres) is our newest site in the Bastrop area. This site has only been on the ground for a few months. Feed the Need Missions has prayed for a site in this area for a few years. Our prayers were answered and a local Pastor from Ridgeway Baptist Church, Jack Gilmore, saw the need and has been serving as the Site Coordinator.
A month ago the trailer that is used for this site was dismantled and had most of the contents taken out of it. This trailer is used multiple times per week in order to setup and cook meals in communities all over Central Texas. Without a trailer it’s hard to serve so we thought..
Even though we didn’t have a trailer we still served the community! The enemy wanted to hold us back, but our team pressed on. Those who served at LBA came together with materials, grills, tables and all that was needed to simply cook a hot meal for the community. Not to mention during this time of chaos, two people came to faith and accepted Christ at the LBA site. Once again, God has put together all the pieces to expand our ministry where it is most needed.
When you give to support our communities, people’s hearts and lives are being changed.
With your help, Feed the Need Missions will continue to provide a hot meal and share the love and message of Christ to those in our communities each week.
Can you help Feed the Need Missions continue serving each week by making a generous contribution of $25, $50, or $100 today? Without your generosity, the people in the LBA community might not get to hear about the love of the gospel and what it truly means to have people who love and support you where you are.
Don’t delay, give now and make a difference in your community today.
Pray & Reflect With Us: Story of Christmas
A family who was going to go out of town for Christmas loaded up their SUV with their luggage, took the dog over to a neighbor’s house, entered the coordinates in their GPS and had even recorded a CD with songs for the road. Everything was ready, and they were so relieved to finally be in the car. They were halfway down the street when the woman suddenly cried out to her husband, “We forgot the baby!”
To me that is a picture of Christmas. We trim our trees. We make our list and check it twice. We shop ’til we drop. We go to endless Christmas productions and parties. Then it dawns on us that we forgot the baby: the baby Jesus, the one whom Christmas is all about.
It is possible to celebrate Christmas and forget all about Christ. It is possible to lose Jesus at Christmas. It is possible in this celebration of Jesus’ birth to forget all about Jesus. Thankfully, even when we forget about him, he never forgets about us.
Really, the story of the birth of Jesus is the greatest of all stories. The Bible tells us, “But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.” (Galatians 4:4 NLT).
The Christmas story is a factual, historical event. It still has all the pathos and magic and pageantry of the best Fairy Tales, yet this is a real story. All other stories we’ve heard are, at best, pale imitations of the greatest story ever told. The story of the birth of Jesus started in Heaven and unfolded on Earth.
When the angel appeared to the shepherds and announced, “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11), the angel effectively was saying, “Listen, Earth. Augustus Caesar is not the savior of the world. Jesus is. The savior of the world is not in a palace in Rome. The savior of the world is wrapped in strips of cloth in a manger in Bethlehem.”
Jesus is the most influential person in human history. It has been said that history swings on the hinge of a stable door in Bethlehem. God came to this earth as a baby to die an agonizing death to ransom us from an eternal death sentence. The shadow of the cross lay over the beauty of that first Christmas night. This child was born to die so that we might live.
When we look back at the first Christmas story, we need to remember that the real Christmas tree wasn’t decorated with lights. The real Christmas tree was a cross that Christ hung on. The Bible says, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” (Galatians 3:13 NKJV). Jesus died on a tree – on a cross – for the sin of all of the world. In fact the Bible says, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13 NKJV).
That is why red is the color of Christmas – not because Santa wore red or because we wrap our presents in red paper or attach red bows to holly wreaths or put red bulbs on our trees. Red is the color of Christmas because it is the color of the blood that was shed from the cross for each and every one of us. Jesus died for the sins of the world so he could make available to us the greatest of all gifts.
May you remember the true reason why we celebrate Christmas!
Impact Stories: Newark
From now until the end of the year we will be sharing stories from each of our sites across Texas. Every site has the same mission: to feed people physically and spiritually. We see God using our volunteers and those that come to grow and build relationships with those in Christ. Here are just a few of the stories from our sites this past year.
NEWARK serves every Tuesday starting at 6:00pm. Park at the Fire Station located at 405 Hudson Street, Newark, TX 76071
Nick
Nick has been enjoying his time serving with Feed the Need Missions in Newark. “I love being able to serve in the ministry. We can’t all go on mission trips due to funds and vacation time, instead me and my family can serve here,“ Nick said. “It gives feet to the church.”
Nick is currently serving in different roles at his site. The newest role he’s serving in is Ministry Lead, where he leads the Table Talk discussions. But that has also been where he’s experienced a lot of personal growth. “I was nervous at first because I wanted to do a good job. I am more comfortable now and it’s ok that I don’t have all the answers,” he said.
God has blessed Nick to allow him to continue serving every week even with his demanding job. “In my job I am on call for a week every three weeks. Never once have I been called for work while at Feed the Need Missions. This must be where I’m suppose to be,” he said with a smile.
Ronette
Scottlan and Ronette have been married for almost eleven years. They have four beautiful daughters. The family heard about Feed the Need Missions from Brandon (Justin, Site Coordinator). They helped Brandon get the Justin site established.
“I love the simplicity of Feed the Need Missions. Love God and Love People. Feed the Need Missions does just that. When we found out we were moving to Aurora we were sad to leave the Justin site but we knew there was a great need for one in Newark so we began to pray about becoming Site Coordinators,” said Ronette.
After a year of prayer and preparation Scottlan and Ronette are now the Site Coordinators of the newest site in North Fort Worth, Newark. “It has had such an impact on me. It has shown me that the gospel is simple. We don’t have to complicate it. I am blessed each week by seeing people serve others and seeing others fall in love with Jesus by using the burger as a tool. It draws me closer to the Lord and blesses my soul,” she said.
When you give to support our communities, people’s hearts and lives are being changed.
With your help, Feed the Need Missions will continue to provide a hot meal and share the love and message of Christ to those in our communities each week.
Can you help Feed the Need Missions continue serving each week by making a generous contribution of $25, $50, or $100 today? Without your generosity, people like Nick and Ronette, might not get to hear about the love of the gospel and what it truly means to have people who love and support you where you are.
Don’t delay, give now and make a difference in your community today.
SITE NEWS: CHRISTMAS COOKIES IN DECEMBER
Christmas time is here and, like every year, Feed the Need Missions will still be out there serving our communities even on a special holidays like Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This is a great opportunity for you and your family to come serve with us. Bring a few cookies and bless people this Christmas season.
We are asking you to join us to make cookies and bless those we serve during the Christmas season. Bring your cookies for the entire month of December to your local site meeting, and we will hand them out that evening. While you’re at it, why not stay and serve with us that day? What an incredible way to give back to your community this holiday season. We promise it will put a smile on your face and theirs.
Check out the time and location that’s closest to you and works with your schedule. We would love to see your friendly face delivering delicious cookies!
Impact Stories: Justin
From now until the end of the year we will be sharing stories from each of our sites across Texas. Every site has the same mission: to feed people physically and spiritually. We see God using our volunteers and those that come to grow and build relationships with those in Christ. Here are just a few of the stories from our sites this past year.
JUSTIN serves every Thursday starting at 5:30pm at Justin Park located at 415 N. College Avenue, Justin, TX 76427.
Josh
Josh has been serving with Feed the Need Missions for the past couple of years at our Justin site. He is currently our trailer lead and resides in Justin with his wife Patty. Josh heard about the ministry by attending a class Brandon Phifer was facilitating at First Baptist Church Justin about being on mission. “He spoke about Feed the Need Missions and what it was about so I went to the site to go check it out,” he said.
“I didn’t really understand what Feed the Missions was about. I stood behind the grill and cooked. Didn’t say much to people,” he said. “Now I know what it’s about through the training and stepping up. It’s about the relationships and sharing the gospel. I no longer get upset when I see people taking several burgers home. It’s not about the numbers it’s about a personal connection with them and Jesus Christ,” he said in tears.
Josh has grown a lot through serving. He will even tell you his personal conviction and how he tries to look at all situations through Christ’s eyes. “It’s hard to do sometimes, but this ministry has helped me do that,” he said.
Shawna
As Shawna was trying to formulate her words about how Feed the Need Missions has helped her grow she realized that it was in so many different ways and that the impact was far greater than she thought. “I’m a single mom and have been coming to the Justin site for a while and it has helped me by providing a meal for my children so our monies can stretch a little farther,” she said.
“I love the new changes in Table Talk and how the message is presented now. It’s not just about a person sharing their testimony, it’s about growing closer to Christ. It has also made me realize how important the mission of Feed the Need Missions is. More people need to be doing this,” she said.
When asked how Feed the Need Missions has helped her personally she said “Because of you guys I have more confidence in myself. You have helped me understand more of what walking out my faith and being a Christian is. I am now serving and have a leader role at the site which I never thought I would be able to do and I can! We all can,” she said.
When you give to support our communities, people’s hearts and lives are being changed.
With your help, Feed the Need Missions will continue to provide a hot meal and share the love and message of Christ to those in our communities each week.
Can you help Feed the Need Missions continue serving each week by making a generous contribution of $25, $50, or $100 today? Without your generosity, people like Josh and Shawna, might not get to hear about the love of the gospel and what it truly means to have people who love and support you where you are.
Don’t delay, give now and make a difference in your community today.
Impact Stories: Stony Point
From now until the end of the year we will be sharing stories from each of our sites across Texas. Every site has the same mission: to feed people physically and spiritually. We see God using our volunteers and those that come to grow and build relationships with those in Christ. Here are just a few of the stories from our sites this past year.
STONY POINTserves every Monday starting at 5:30pm at Stony Point Park located at 121 Stony Creek Drive, De Valle. TX 78617.
David
David is married to his lovely bride for 42 years and have two kids and thirteen grandkids, not to mention four great-grandchildren too. “A few years ago I started serving with Rebecca. I had to stop serving because I was not in a good spot in my own life. I struggled with who I was and I didn’t have the capacity to pour into others the way I needed too,” David said.
Currently things have changed in David’s life. He attended a training at his Church and decided he was ready to start serving again. “I really enjoy seeing the faces of those we serve and to share Gods word with them. I’m an act of service kind of person by nature and like to help people. I enjoy serving others,” he said.
“By serving I have been able to open up more and come out of my shell. I use to be a recluse person and it’s helped me do a full 180. It’s opened my eyes to learn about others and to share stories. It has also helped me open my eyes to the Holy Spirit and my walk with Christ,” David said.
Nat
“My wife heard about a school over here in Stony Point that was hiring. She came and drove around the area and saw you guys out here serving. She knew I have a servant heart and this would be something I would be interested in, that was one year ago,” Nat said.
Nat wrestled with his work schedule and being involved with his church. He had a hard time finding the time to serve with Feed the Need Missions. “You guys came to my church and did a training and I participated. I fell in love with the ministry. This is God’s work,” he said. A week or so after the training his relative, Charlie, who serves at the Bastrop location, told Nat he was needed in Stony Point. Soon after Nat came to the site.
“I’m plugged in now. I come here and do Table Talk with our guests. I translate it to them in Spanish to help them understand the gospel. It feels great to help out, and share God’s love, and it’s also helping me grow,” he said with a big smile.
When you give to support our communities, people’s hearts and lives are being changed.
With your help, Feed the Need Missions will continue to provide a hot meal and share the love and message of Christ to those in our communities each week.
Can you help Feed the Need Missions continue serving each week by making a generous contribution of $25, $50, or $100 today? Without your generosity, people like David and Nat, might not get to hear about the love of the gospel and what it truly means to have people who love and support you where you are.
Don’t delay, give now and make a difference in your community today.
Impact Stories: Bastrop North
From now until the end of the year we will be sharing stories from each of our sites across Texas. Every site has the same mission: to feed people physically and spiritually. We see God using our volunteers and those that come to grow and build relationships with those in Christ. Here are just a few of the stories from our sites this past year.
BASTROP NORTH serves every Sunday starting at 5:00pm by the Apartments on Linden located at 603 Linden Street, Bastrop, TX 78602.
Sherry
Sherry has been living in the Bastrop area for the last 4 years, and has been attending the Bastrop North site since last winter. When Sherry first came to the site she was very hesitant and thought “it’s a group of people cooking food.” Week after week of being there she was able to make friends and understand what Feed the Need Missions is. “You guys have shown me so much support and motivation to continue my life,” she said.
Now that she knows what Feed the Need Missions is all about she said, “it’s more than putting food in our bellies, it’s physical feeding and spiritual feeding. I know on Sunday’s I can come here and be ok. I stay for Table Talk and learn more about God and learning how to pray again,” she said excitedly. “My walk with Christ has flourished and grown since I’ve been coming here.”
Jimmy
“I’ve never had anyone ask me if they could take my picture,” Jimmy said in tears. “I’ve been coming around here since you started behind the Lumberyard years ago, and now I live on this side of town so I come here on Sundays.”
Jimmy struggles with addiction and life. He’s currently separated from his wife and really wants to change and get back on his feet to save his marriage. “I’m trying I really am. You guys have been here for me. You pray with me and make me feel good,” he said. “I know I can come here for encouragement and to help me understand the Bible. It’s such a great place to come to when your needing someone to talk to and need help,” he said.
“I’m growing with God, and I do believe one day my wife and I will get back together once I clean myself up,” he added.
When you give to support our communities, people’s hearts and lives are being changed.
With your help, Feed the Need Missions will continue to provide a hot meal and share the love and message of Christ to those in our communities each week.
Can you help Feed the Need Missions continue serving each week by making a generous contribution of $25, $50, or $100 today? Without your generosity, people like Sherry and Jimmy, might not get to hear about the love of the gospel and what it truly means to have people who love and support you where you are.
Don’t delay, give now and make a difference in your community today.