Hungry for Love: Serving Our Neighbors in Need

It’s a sight you might’ve seen on a mission trip: Shanties made of tarps and cardboard. Tired, hungry, dejected men and women living under bridges. People experiencing homelessness who feel helpless and hopeless. What if I told you this wasn’t a Third World country … but it was actually your own backyard? It’s sad but true.

It’s happening in cities across our country. And for church members at Anderson Seventh-day Adventist Church in Indiana, it compelled us to act. What started out as a small group making 20 sack lunches every Sabbath has exploded into an army of over 50 volunteers! From 3 years old to 80 years young, our church family, friends, community members and even homeless friends are feeding our homeless neighbors.

God is working in mighty ways through Anderson’s Neighbors in Need, which now serves 180 hot meals and 50 sack lunches every Saturday! And our work has expanded to include disadvantaged families in the church neighborhood and low-end motels.

Acts 20:35 says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” How true those words are! This ministry is profoundly impacting our volunteers, even my two little girls who love taking care of “our friends” as they call them. It’s a beautiful sight to see children from our church serving meals, praying and singing with our homeless friends.

To learn more about Anderson’s Neighbors in Need outreach, please contact me at jedellen@gmail.com.

However you serve your neighbors, remember Matthew 25:40: “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”

May God bless you as you share Jesus’ love with your community!