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A Forgotten Community

Meet volunteers Ben and Debbie Ortiz. They faithfully serve weekly at our Stony Point site.

When asked about the impact on the Stony Point community Feed the Need Missions has had Ben shared, “Stony Point is a forgotten community and people do not want to go in there.”

“Not even the cops,” Debbie chimed in.

“Feed the Need Missions makes people feel like they are somebody and not forgotten,” Ben continued.

Ben and Debbie have lived near Stony Point for 40 years and are far too familiar with Stony Point’s reputation.

“We Christians have an ability to make people invisible, and so many have made Stony Point invisible. You can walk by people and make them invisible, walk by them like they are not even there”, Ben admitted. “Feed the Need Missions has changed that,” he continued.

“People are hungry for interaction, to be seen, to be prayed for,” Debbie added.

Serving has helped Ben, Debbie and countless others to see people the way God sees them and recognize opportunities to demonstrate God’s love to those we might otherwise walk right by without a second thought. Debbie recognized there were still people in the community that were not served and felt the Lord prompting them to go into these rougher areas.

“She [Debbie] reminded me we are forgetting the people in the corner. I have the ability to close my eyes to the things I don’t want to see,” Ben said. This opened a door to reach deeper into the community to serve people who are inaccessible to most.

One night after serving there was left over food and Ben saw an opportunity to serve those who most would ignore. He headed into that dark pocket with provision and purpose. Using the burger as a tool he offered a meal and prayer.

The response was overwhelming. Ben shared how one woman was tearful as she received the food and prayer. “The people that are bad when they see someone praying for them they’ll come up to you to get prayer. That’s what Feed the Need Missions has allowed me to do, to go into those spots in my community. It gave me a reason to go into those places to share the gospel.”

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From Recovery to Inspiration: Annie’s Story

At Feed the Need Missions, we believe that a burger is more than just a meal; it’s a tool to share the Gospel and spread love within our community. Our weekly cookouts serve not only hot meals but also spiritual nourishment to anyone who stops by. Today, we want to share a remarkable story from our Bastrop South Site – a story of transformation, faith, and the incredible love and care our volunteers show to one another and the guests we serve. This is the story of Annie, who has been a part of our journey for about the last year and a half.

One of the most heartwarming aspects of Feed the Need Missions is the way our volunteers rally around those in need. Annie’s story is a testament to this spirit of compassion and support. One aspect of our sites is not just the guests we serve, but also our volunteers. In this case, our volunteers have the opportunity to serve alongside a local women’s program, where ladies are working on recovery from addiction.

About six months ago, Annie completed the women’s program that she was in, graduating and recovering from her addictions. Upon completing this program, she has continued to come and serve on a weekly basis, continuing to grow her character and faith. Not only has she graduated, but she has also landed a job and is now helping to facilitate our Table Talk discussions.

As we continue our mission to serve both physically and spiritually, we are reminded that our work is not just about the food we provide but also the hope, love, and transformation we inspire. Annie’s journey reminds us that, with faith and support, anyone can overcome adversity and thrive. We invite you to join us in making a difference in the lives of those we serve and spreading the message that a burger can be a powerful tool for sharing the Gospel and transforming lives.

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A Child’s Question, A Lesson in Compassion

“Mama, where are the grown-ups?” my four-year-old son asked at the site. He was looking at the table behind us and saw a group of kids sitting together, but they didn’t have a mom or dad with them. “What do you mean, buddy?” I wanted to make sure I understood what he was asking about but also wanted to buy some time to process an answer for him.

In the next few moments, we had the opportunity to process an element of spiritual and physical poverty that was way beyond his years. It was choppy and a little inconclusive on my end, but I took a stab at processing it together. The result was awesome despite my lack of a perfect answer.

He went and played with those kids like they were no different than he was. He loved on the kids that didn’t have a grown-up with them like Jesus would. It can be downright hard and intimidating to bring young kids to a site to serve. Their focus is short, and the involvement is a lopsided pendulum of keeping them out of trouble to sparse conversations with other adults.

The Lord showed me that evening at the site, with my son’s simple observation, that He doesn’t hide behind perfect answers and performances. His glory is for all ages to experience and thrives when we do life all together: grown-ups and kids, those praying and those eating a burger, those with a grown-up in tow, and those without.

Give showing up at a site next week a go with your whole family. It probably won’t be what you expected, but it will be worth the effort.

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Meet A Volunteer: Beth

A lot has changed in the past few years in Bastrop and the world. In 2020, I experienced some COVID anxiety, along with feeling lonely and disconnected while isolating during the pandemic. Many years ago, I was trapped in a cycle of ‘stinkin’ thinkin’,’ leading me down a dark path of depression and panic attacks. A neighbor invited me to church, and I began a journey with Jesus—a transformation that helped lift me out of depression and gave me hope.

Over the years, I’ve seen over and over how God never wastes a hurt and how we’re not defined by what’s happened to us but by the God we serve. In June of last year, I began volunteering with Feed The Need Missions in Bastrop. Wow! Right from the start, I was overwhelmed by the kindness and welcoming nature of the other volunteers. I’ve really enjoyed the friends I’ve made serving together.

It has been eye-opening and, at times, awe-inspiring, seeing God at work through Feed The Need Missions. The power of prayer, a kind word, along with a smile and a listening ear, opens the door to building relationships with the folks we serve. You learn to sympathize with their sorrows and celebrate in their victories. There’s something uniquely personal when you serve guests a free burger along with knowing their name. It opens the conversational door to asking, “How’s it going in your life? And how can I pray for you?” I have a recent memory I will always cherish. This past November, while giving out Gobble kits, one of the guests asked if he could pray for us volunteers. We all gathered around his vehicle, and he shared a beautiful prayer of praise and thankfulness for Feed The Need Missions and their volunteers. It was priceless! Feed The Need Missions is about seeing God’s love in action while sharing the love of Christ. It’s about loving your neighbor and listening to them. I’m grateful for the wonderful tribe of volunteers I serve with.

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Meet a Volunteer: Tommy and Martha

Over the next several months we are going to be doing a special series on our volunteers called “Volunteers of the month”. We know that all our volunteers are worthy of highlighting but we wanted to take a moment and celebrate some people that not only go above and beyond but have some unique impact on the mission. So join us in celebrating these incredible people and the impact they have had on the hundreds they serve.

Tommy and Martha has been serving with Feed the Need Missions for four years. They were invited by Charlie Hoffman who has been volunteering over the past seven years. Tommy and Martha currently serves at three of our sites each week. Because of their dedication and desire to see more people come to Christ they were chosen as volunteers of the month for April.

“When I first started serving with Feed the Need Missions it was out of my comfort zone because of being shy,”  Martha said. Serving at three sites is helping her get over her shyness. Tommy said, “I’ve always been the talker in our marriage, but it’s been neat watching Martha meet people and seeing her smile as she talks to people.”

When you ask Martha about the ministry impact means to her, she doesn’t hesitate in answering. “We serve because we want to bless other people. Sometimes that’s just with a smile. We would show up at church, hear the message and leave. Now we are being the church and growing together.”

The Lord has been moving in their lives. Recently they met a local Pastor at one of the sites. They were invited to his church and given a bible. “We haven’t missed a Sunday if we’re in town. I was personally challenged to start reading the bible. I’ve never been challenged that way before. God is giving me understanding of His word and I never thought I would ever say that,” Tommy said.

Without Feed the Need Missions and the connections they have made they wouldn’t be who they are today. “We pray more, are more patient with each other and others as well. I see people needing community and prayer all over the place. I’m seeing prayers being answered. It reminds me how far God has brought us,” Martha said.

Thank you Martha and Tommy for being Christ Followers and Disciple Makers. We appreciate your dedication and your hearts to serve. You can meet Tommy and Martha at Smithville, Stony Point or LBA weekly. So come on out and meet our Volunteers of the Month for April.

 

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Site Update: Lexington

Have you ever heard of a little town in Texas called Lexington? If you have, it might be because of the world famous Snow’s BBQ, which is world famous for all the right reasons! It might be because of the Lexington High Schools football program, which sported a 10-1 season this last year. So what else is so special about this sleepy little town you might be wondering. Well, this is the location of our next Feed the Need Missions site launch.

There are always so many variables to consider with a new launch. Would the community benefit from a Feed the Need Missions Site? What obstacles are there that can slow the process of a build? Is there a group of people that can collectively lead the ministry? Most of all, does the Lord want us there? As we look to expand in the direction that He leads us in, patients and prayer has to be at the center of all we do.

This has been a year in the making! It started with a couple of young hearts set on seeing the direction of the Lord regarding starting the ministry. Jeremy and Dana Chastain have childhood ties to Lexington. They began volunteering with the mission a number of years ago and has secretly prayed for a Site in Lexington. Over the last several years they have been vital to our LBA location, not to mention many other aspects of the ministry. They both work and live in Lexington and often found themselves praying over the new launch as they served people in different communities. Jeremy and Dana know intimately the special characteristics of their home town. They also know the challenges that people face there.

Last month we had a soft launch in Lexington. It started with a simple video posted to social media. The video caught fire and has now been viewed over 3000 times. That is incredible considering that the population of the city is just over 1200. The night of the first gathering we had over 30 volunteers and served over 200 meals. The needs and desires are clear. We now find ourselves in the final stages of our launch. Will you join us in prayer for a clear location, community unity and a God-sized impact as we move forward with this launch? If you would like to join us in supporting not only Jeremy and Dana but those that live in Lexington let us know. For you too can have an impact and add to the list of things to be thankful for in Lexington.

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Events: Texas Burger Bash

Every community has it’s own unique culture and that is definitely the case here in the Lone Star State! In Texas, burgers and backyard games are one of our favorite past times. For many involved in Feed the Need Missions, the thought of combining a cookout competition with a little life change makes for a good recipe. This event was a celebration of these two things coming together for a purpose!

The Texas Burger Bash is a one-day cook-off held each year in La Grange TX. The founders of the TBB are made up of a very dedicated group of friends. Their vision is to not only create a family friendly event, but to raise resources and awareness that benefits those that serve their community. All it took is a little vision, a lot of commitment and a spark that ignited the flames of this event.

 

The day started as all great gatherings should. A gathering and a prayer… “Lord let the efforts offered up here today bring life change!”  was the prayer the morning of the event. Specifically we prayed for 8-12 teams competing, 200 plus people actively showing up and participating, resources raised and people to walk away knowing that their efforts had an impact. Well, He answered that and then some! We had 11 registered teams, over 300 people came out, received almost $2000 in active donations, and after the event we noticed a substantial increase the next Monday of people coming out to the Feed the Need Missions site in La Grange.

 

This is just the beginning for this event! A special thanks to all those involved in making this happen. A shout out to The City of La Grange, Team Gonzo Cornhole, D-Poe Cattle Co., 979 Trucking Inc., Scar and Sons and of course the 4 friends that helped make this happen. From humble beginnings often comes eternal impact and that clearly happened at this years Texas Burger Bash. Consider this your invitation to next years festivities help at the end of April 2024. Visit texasburgerbash.com to see some of the highlights.

 

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Site Volunteer: Willy

There are some people in our lives when we think about them, we can’t help but smile. Willy is one of those individuals. You will almost always find Willy with a smile on his face and a warm welcome when he sees you. He’s like a hawk, and always sees you first!

Raised by a single mother, Willy was quickly welcomed into a group of men from a local church who felt called to walk with him. Willy‘s involvement with Feed the Need Missions started more than five years ago when one of the men from his church brought him out to serve. He quickly found his place at the Bastrop South site, and before long Willy was submerged in not one but two faith families.

The fact Willy does not drive has not stopped him from getting to the site faithfully each week! When asked why he serves his response was straightforward but powerful, “Because that’s what we are supposed to do.”  Willy is the site’s “muscle man” and always ready to jump in and help carry the heavy items for setup and teardown. He doesn’t grill, take orders or pray with guests, but he has found a way to use his special abilities to contribute to the kingdom work happening at the site each week. Willy is an invaluable member of the team and we are so grateful to have him serve alongside us!

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Site Volunteer: Carol

Carol has been serving with Feed the Need Missions for three years. Starting as a volunteer and working her way into a leadership role she found her “happy place.” Currently she serves as the Site Coordinator at our LBA location.

She leads with integrity putting Christ first and making disciples. The volunteers at the site support Carol in making decisions. She leads through them. A site volunteer said “Carol loves her people and understands the mission of Feed the Need Missions, we are one big family”.

When Carol was asked what her favorite part about serving is, she responded with “serving people outside the walls of the church. People don’t want to go into the churches, for whatever reason. So we bring it to them. Jesus tells us to go where my people are, and we get to do that,”

The Lord is growing Carol through Feed the Need Missions, she shared: “It has helped my marriage and for us to serve and grow together. Doing this together has been a saving grace. My husband is praying again for dinner, sharing the gospel at the grill, serving together, and praying for our guests. We are learning how to do this together.”

We stand behind our site leaders and volunteers! For the month of March, Carol was nominated Volunteer of the Month. Our staff thank’s YOU Carol, for your time and commitment serving every Thursday every week. You are a blessing to so many. Thank you for being obedient and the continuation of making disciples.

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MOPS: Love in Action

When I think back to some the most challenging years of my life I can easily say the years of having small children in tow stands out! I don’t know how you feel, but I can remember the pendulum of emotions welling up even now. One moment feeling the deepest sense of gratitude toward the Lord for these little gifts… SWING! I am a complete failure after realizing what I just feed them for dinner. SWING! My heart melts at the belly laugh from a little mini-me and the reverberation in my soul of what Jesus must feel every time I laugh with Him. SWING! How can He even trust me with these little babes when I can’t remember to take the trash out the night before it gets picked up?

What I do know is that a community of people can help us see what we cannot, feel what we are meant to feel, follow who we are suppose to follow. In fact a community of people that takes time to elevate one another toward the One that defines support is where we need to be. MOPS meets that for many young moms in the Bastrop community. These women take time to focus on each other and the kids they are raising like very few in the world do. This past November MOPS took it upon themselves to go beyond what seemed feasible and choose to serve “the least of these”. They collectively participated in our Gobble Kit program and together supplied 43 kits and fed 258 people that would have not had a Thanksgiving meal.

This past week Feed the Need Missions was provided a small chance to give back and say THANK YOU! At MOPS we witnessed joy and compassion. Intention and Hope. Faith in action and a modeling of true love! I doubted wether any mom would even eat a burger at 10am in the morning. But…. a hot meal (they didn’t have to prepare), and a place for Jesus-centered fellowship reminded me of the patients he showed me as a young parent. If you want or need community consider this my invitation to be loved as a family through MOPS or love a family in need through Feed the need Missions. Either way, you will find Jesus here!

Written by Sean Tangen

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