Feeding God’s Children
Why do we feed God’s
children?
The greatest gifts happen when you share God’s love and touch others
lives. This is what flows naturally from a “Kingdom Heart.”
“It is a kingdom that,
in the person of Jesus, welcomes us just as we are, just where we are,
and makes it possible for us to translate our ‘ordinary’ life into an
eternal one. It is so available that everyone who from the center of
his or her being calls upon Jesus as Master of the Universe and Prince
of life will be heard and will be delivered into the eternal kind of
life.” -Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy
It is a mission of benevolence
to minister with the love of God.
“Every time we come
down here we see the Spirit of God touching people’s lives.” –Jack
Stom, co-leader second Sunday
Hos 11:4 I led them with cords
of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and
bent down to feed them.
How do we feed God’s
children?
There are co-leaders for each Sunday. Often husband and wife teams will
co-lead with another couple or person. Each team has from eight to
twelve people that commit to helping on that specific Sunday. Five teams
cover every Sunday; however, the “fifth” Sunday is a little more
difficult due to the few times they meet each year. Additional people
are recruited to make salads and cookies for summer and soups for the
winter months, usually two or three people per Sunday.
The typical
summer BBQ consists of: one hamburger (with or without cheese), one
hotdog, salad, chips and often a cookie or cake—condiments and cold
drinks. Sometimes we are able to give soda (donated by local
distributors) and often we mix a fruit drink with Mist or 7-up.
The typical winter
BBQ consists of: one hamburger (with or without cheese) one hotdog, hot
soup, bread, chips and cake or doughnuts, a hot drink and water. We
usually make 4-8 gallons of hot chocolate and have plenty of cold water.
In addition, we provide a hot water container with soap to wash hands.
“We love ‘em and we
feed ‘em. It's about building relationships and building trust,” says
Tim McFarlane.
Tim and Tempe McFarlane,
Vineyard Boise Pastors, oversee the program and work with the team leaders
to maintain proper food handling, standardization, and adequate supplies.
Most of all Tim and Tempe ensure that each team prayerfully prepares for
each BBQ.
Tempe says that the
volunteers often get more blessed than the homeless people do. “Doesn't it
always seem to work out that way when doing the work of Christ?”
John 21:15
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son
of John, do you truly love me more than these?” "Yes, Lord," he said,
"you know that I love you.” Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
John 13:34-35
34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you,
so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you
are my disciples, if you love one another."
For more information on Feeding
God’s Children please contact
Tim or
Tempe McFarlane at Vineyard Boise 208.377.1477
