Tag Archive for: serve

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FROM COMFORT TO COURAGE: GROWING VOLUNTEER LEADERS

At Feed the Need Missions, we have the privilege of seeing incredible transformations in our volunteers every day. What begins as hesitant participation often blossoms into bold leadership through intentional training and a supportive community. Recognizing the importance of equipping volunteers for effective ministry, we have developed Feed the Need University—a monthly training initiative that fosters spiritual growth, builds leadership skills, and encourages meaningful engagement at our weekly sites.

Initially, many volunteers join Feed the Need Missions eager to help but uncertain of their own abilities to engage others spiritually or lead conversations effectively. Common hesitations include fear of public speaking, uncertainty in handling tough conversations, or doubts about their biblical knowledge. Through Feed the Need University, we intentionally create a welcoming environment that addresses these concerns head-on, helping volunteers grow from timid participants into confident servant-leaders.

Each session is carefully crafted around core biblical principles, practical leadership insights, and interactive discussions designed to encourage immediate application. Volunteers leave empowered with the tools and confidence needed to lead meaningful interactions and ministry moments. They learn the significance of asking open-ended questions, actively listening, and offering prayer, ultimately enhancing their ability to connect deeply with guests and fellow volunteers.

We have seen remarkable outcomes. Volunteers who once avoided eye contact during prayer now eagerly volunteer to lead group discussions. Those previously hesitant to initiate conversations with guests now proactively seek opportunities to connect and encourage. Each transformation enriches the individual volunteer’s experience and profoundly impacts our community outreach. Through consistent, intentional training, Feed the Need University is cultivating courageous, compassionate leaders who embody the heart of our mission.

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A Family’s Journey with Feed the Need Missions: Serving, Loving, and Giving Back

There is a sacred kind of strength that rises from the ashes of hardship, and for Ashlynn and her children, that strength was found through something simple yet profound: serving others. After battling one of the darkest storms any family can face, they discovered a light in their community that would change everything.

For Ashlynn, a mom of three, life had not been easy. Her 8-year-old daughter, who has nonverbal autism, her 7-year-old son, whose heart beats with a passion for helping others, and her 6-year-old daughter, Juliet, a true warrior, had already endured more than most children should ever know. But nothing could have prepared them for what came next: Juliet’s diagnosis of leukemia.

When Juliet’s battle with leukemia began, the weight of uncertainty hung over their family like a dark cloud. But amid their suffering, a small yet powerful act of kindness from Ashlynn’s grandmother set everything into motion.

Three years ago, while living in Conroe, Ashlynn’s grandmother made a quiet request at the Feed the Need Missions site in La Grange. As she received a hot meal, she asked for prayers for Juliet, who had just begun her cancer treatment. It was a simple act that would forever intertwine their family with the Feed the Need Missions community.

Ms. Terri, a volunteer, prayed for Juliet and their family. Ashlynn recalls, “Her prayer wasn’t just a blessing; it was also a lifeline. It reminded us that we weren’t alone, that there was a whole community standing with us in our pain.”

A year later, after the family’s move to La Grange and the tragic loss of Ashlynn’s grandfather, they found themselves standing once again at the heart of Feed the Need Missions. It was a year to the day that Juliet had rung the bell and was declared cancer-free. They knew, without a doubt, that this moment was divine timing. The healing they had experienced was beyond physical; it was spiritual and emotional, and grace poured out in abundance.

Today, Ashlynn and her children find joy in the very work that once sustained them. They volunteer at Feed the Need Missions whenever they can, and in doing so, they have not only learned to give but also to receive. Each meal served, every prayer offered, and each connection made is a reminder of the grace they have been given.

Ashlynn says it best: “Serving at Feed the Need Missions isn’t just something we do—it’s become who we are. In our darkest hours, we were shown what it means to love and serve unconditionally. This place isn’t just about feeding bodies—it nourishes the spirit.” And while their family’s journey is far from over, Ashlynn and her children know one thing for sure: they will continue to serve, give, and share God’s love wherever they go—because they have experienced firsthand the transformative power of community.

Feed the Need Missions will forever hold a special place in their hearts, a reminder that through love, service, and faith, we can all make a difference—one small act of kindness at a time.

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A POWERFUL START IN BUILDING COMMUNITY TOGETHER

Since the exciting announcement of our new Bastrop Central site, we’ve already experienced incredible blessings and growth. During our soft launch, there was a tangible energy in the air—an undeniable buzz of excitement as people came together, eager to serve. With 120 volunteers joining us, including a local church youth group, the enthusiasm was infectious. This amazing team didn’t just come to serve; they took it a step further, going door-to-door throughout the neighborhood to invite others to join us for a free meal. It was a beautiful example of the love and outreach that drives our mission forward.

Before we even began training, our team prayed over the site, asking for God’s guidance and blessing over each person who will step into this place in the coming weeks and months. We prayed that everyone who comes through will feel welcomed, loved, and cared for in a way that reflects Christ’s love for us all. God is moving here, preparing hearts for something special in Bastrop, and we can feel that He has big plans in store.

Over the past two weeks, we’ve served about 300 meals with the help of around 30 dedicated volunteers. It’s been heartwarming to see familiar faces from other sites—some we haven’t seen in years—alongside new neighbors eager to get involved. The blend of new and seasoned volunteers, all united in service, has truly shown the beauty and strength of the Bastrop community. Each week, we’re reminded of the powerful message of love, unity, and compassion that God calls us to embody.

As we prepare for Thanksgiving, our hearts are focused on giving even more. We’ve been signing up families for Gobble Kits; as of now, 73 families are set to receive a kit this Thanksgiving. On November 20th, we’ll come together to distribute these Gobble Kits, hoping to spread the joy and gratitude of the season to families in need. It’s more than just a meal—it’s an opportunity to share God’s love in a tangible way, to meet people’s needs, and to celebrate together.

If you’d like to be part of this special Gobble Kit distribution on November 20th or feel called to serve with us weekly, we’d love to welcome you into our Feed the Need community. Each moment we spend serving here is a chance to connect with others, share a meal, and be part of God’s transformative work in Bastrop.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support for the Bastrop Central site. We look forward to building lasting relationships, serving those in need, and growing in faith together. God is alive in Bastrop, and we’re so grateful to be part of what He’s doing here.

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Second location in Bastrop!

by Jonah Beyer, Mission U-Too President

I am excited to tell you about our new Bastrop location. This makes seven locations for Mission U-Too as we continue to grow and the vision continues to catch; feeding people physically and spiritually.

The idea for the second location started back last summer after we moved the Bastrop location. When we moved we lost some of the folks that use to come every week. We had an opportunity several months later to serve over by the Boys and Girls Club which is just North of downtown and we saw a lot of familiar faces. As Rebecca and I were out there serving that night, we started talking about the need for another location in that area. We began to talk and pray about it and I started telling some people within Bastrop to start praying for the second location.

It’s probably been about 6 months or so that we have been praying and talking about it. Now to see it actually starting to happen and how God is lining everything up is exciting.  What’s really cool is as we continue to mature at Mission U-Too Bastrop (the first location), and grow spiritually; we have been able to really reach out to the homeless folks in the community along with the church we partnered with.  It’s really awesome to see how God has brought us together to continue to reach out to the Bastrop community.

While there’s still a need on the North side of town we will continue to serve Monday at our South location and now Sunday at our North location. I’m excited to get over to the North side to start serving every week just to see how God is going to move in these people’s lives. There are so many folks over there that are lost, hurting, kids without parents, women that have been abandoned by their husbands and are going through a rough time, drug problems, addiction, alcoholics, and the opportunity to go in and serve every week and continue to build relationships with these folks.  It was powerful when we started praying about it and I didn’t know how we were going to start the second location, until God answered our prayers.

About 6 weeks ago I sat down for a meeting with somebody at a coffee shop and a gentleman walked up to me who I have never met before and was like “hey you’re Jonah.” I said “yeah” He said “I’m Tim and I have heard a lot about you” he sat down with me and we started talking a little bit. He began to tell me how he wanted to get more involved in helping with families that are struggling and to teach them life skills. As we started talking more I just felt led to share with him about starting a second location over in the North end of Bastrop by the Boys and Girls Club and how great the need was. As I started telling him, he just melted and I asked him what was going on. I could see the excitement that was building. He began to tell me that him and his wife a few years prior had moved a couple of blocks away from the Boys and Girls Club and felt led to penetrate into that neighborhood. Right then I knew this was the person that we have been praying for. We started talking more and when he left the shop he immediately went over to his church and gained their support in helping support Mission U-Too with bringing in some volunteers and donations.

So come join us this Sunday March 17th as we start serving ever Sunday at 4:30pm at the new location.  This will open up all kinds of opportunities to engage the kids and the parents, with bible studies, Sunday evening service, and activity for the community.  We can’t wait to see what God does as we’re able to start penetrating into this neighborhood with Jesus that is so unchurched, unreached and hurting. I’m excited for this new adventure and I look forward to seeing some of you guys get involved. I love you and hope you have a blessed rest of the week.

Jonah Beyer has been serving Mission U-Too since 2010 and is the President of Mission U-Too. His family lives and serves in Bastrop, Texas.

Send Jonah a note at jonah.beyer@feedtheneed.org.

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