Breedsville UMC’s New Member Challenges Congregation

 

Breedsville UMC, may be the smallest church in the Kalamazoo District . With only eleven members, the church usually has about 20 to 25 in attendance on Sunday morning.   December 20 the church’s newest member came to church with a brainstorm of an idea. She wanted to purchase 80 hams and give them away to the community. What an idea, but five days before Christmas?? 

 

Twenty-fours hours, later the hams were purchased, vegetables and potatoes had been donated and were ready for delivery. Cards were made for each family and left with the food. The cards asked simple questions; Would they like us to return for a visit? Do they have a church home? Did they have children? Did they have any special prayer requests?

 

The results could be considered dramatic. Twenty-one families asked that we pay them a return visit; forty-six had special prayer requests; over thirty asked that they at least be called, and one person asked for a ride to church Sunday morning.

 

“This small church has touched an entire community with its love and kindness. What a blessing. We really do not want any special recognition. We only want to touch the hearts of the people of this depressed community. Jesus sent the disciples out two by two. We went into our community giving away ham dinners with an expression of God's love.” David Haase, Pastor

 

Breedsville, with eleven members, touched the lives of more than 80 families. What expression of God’s love could your church do?   What can you do to put your faith in action?