Food... yet more than food.

This picture taken Saturday when we served over 300 people.

For the past two years we have been serving the less-served of the Dayton area, partnering with The Hope Foundation. We supply bags, warehouse, storage area, truck and ministry partners. It's a great partnership.

Every Tuesday a few guys head down to The Food Bank and load the truck with tons of food. On Wednesday at 5:30pm, we pack hundreds of bags of groceries that will go to Fairborn, Jamestown, Ceaderville, Huber Heights, Beavercreek or Dayton.

At each location every family registers and receives 2 bags of groceries, plus 1 bag of protein, (5lbs sometimes 10lbs, we receive steak, chicken, roast, pork loin etc.) often veggies and fruit.

On the first and third Saturdays we meet at 10am(some vols come at 9am to help set the day) load the truck, and drive to our location to meet the people and to distribute the food. On the fourth Saturday we meet at the Dayton Campus at 9am and distribute the food.

At this time of writing The Hope Foundation is the largest food distributor in the Montgomery County and Green County.

What we offer is more than food. We offer:

Hope - People who have nothing need hope. Our commitment to long term, short term help brings hope to the people in need.

There are two camps, one camp says, 'Short team help is a waste of time, only long term help will truly meet the need.' The other camp says, Long term help takes too long and only helps a few people. We believe we need both, a commitment to long term short term help, and a commitment toward long term investment. We need both to help bring people out of poverty.

Jesus stated, 'The poor you will have with you always.' 

This means we can serve the less served with a little, or with a lot. Both are more than good enough. Your little you give to serve others, is much more than those who do nothing or give nothing.

One man challenged me, he said that Christians were all hypocrites(internally I agreed, all are, me included) and that they did nothing to help the real needs like feeding the hungry, or helping kids in poverty or meeting medical needs.  In the conversation I stated what I was doing to help to meet some needs. I can't meet all the needs but I could meet some in Jesus name.

My wife and I had adopted Quiche Indian kids in Guatemala for over 20 years, we served helping the poor with food and clothing, and we helped send medical supplies to Haiti. I then asked him what he was doing to meet the needs of the poor? Seems he was doing nothing.

Not to be smug, well maybe I was, but I did think, 'I like what I am doing better than what you are not doing.' We continued our conversation I discovered he had been burnt by some 'Christians' who weren't very Christ-like and was pretty jaded. Been there?

Often we discover we arrive at just the right time. One man with tears in his eyes asked, 'I heard you were cutting back and not coming to Dayton anymore?' I assured him that we were gonna be here for as long as possible. He then replied, 'I don't know what I'd do without your help.' He was one of those innocent ones who needed hope and reassurance.

Relationship -  Each month, that we serve we build relationships with the people we serve. Most of the people who come to serve as ministry partners consistently know the people they serve by name. They know what the person has asked prayed for, and have a connection with the family. It's refreshing to hear serving people talk to a person by name. 'Hey, Joe how's it going.'

A Listening Ear- Listening to a persons story encourages the heart more than we understand. Everyone has a story. But not everyone has someone who wants to hear the story. Listening shows respect, gives honor and establishes a sense of self worth. Listening also shouts, I care for you.

When we first opened the Thursday breakfast I was talking to one of the men. When we were finished, I held out my hand to shake his and said, 'Thanks for the conversation.' He gripped my hand and said, 'No sir, thank you for listening, it means more to me than you will ever know.'

God Space - We believe that when we go He is with us in a tangible way. As we set up, and begin to serve we invite God's presence to be among us. Often when we talk to people we discover they too are aware of His manifest goodness. When prayer is offered we repeatedly hear stories of how God has met their needs. Whether it be for healing, relationship restoration, jobs, etc.. They can point back to the day the prayer was prayed, up to the time the prayer was answered. 

A few months ago a wife was concerned about her marriage. It had been rocky and she asked for a specific restoration of her relationship with her husband. A couple of months of further prayer continued. She then recently reported that she and her husband had just renewed their vows and they are once again connected.

What can you do?

If live in the Dayton area you too can come and offer hope to the less-served of our community. Just show up on Wed night 5:30pm to help pack, or on the Saturdays 1st and 3rd at 10am Beavercreek 4051 Indian Ripple Rd. and on the 4th Saturday 9am Dayton Campus 1222 N. Main St.

Wednesday morning is the time we set up all the food to be bagged. Pop in at 10 am at the Joseph Project Food Pantry 4051 Indian Ripple Rd to help set up tables and to set up the food and count the bags.

If you don't live in Dayton... Why not begin from where you are with what you have? Your little, or your a lot will make a difference.

Martin Luther King

This year was the 8th year we have served the marchers on MLK day. We chose to hand out hundreds of hand warmers. It was a 35 degree day with a wind of about 10 miles and hour. As always it is a pleasure to meet so many intelligent, caring, sharp people of all races. The people we met were passionate about the change over the last 30 or so years. Yet we can all say we have land to possess, and personal prejudices to lay down.

Elom and Pattie

part of the team

coffee to get warm

Me, recently I realized that I have a tendency to 'profile' people... put them in my box, or jump to my opinion concerning who they are, why they are who they are, and how they got to be where they are.

I'm asking for a change of heart.

Usually, after talking at length with a person my 'profiling' proves to be in error. Here's an example: Someone came to me recently urgently wanting to be Baptized, I replied, 'Well, we will be having a baptism in March. The person then stated, 'I need to be baptized before Jesus returns!'  My profiling, locked the person into a person who was unstable, after all Jesus most probably won't return until after March.

Then the person stated, 'I have cancer.' humm! Now I have a different perspective, more illumination, my profiling box was broken. They were no longer in my box labeled as an unstable person, but the reality, they were a desperate person.

The truth, I was the unstable person. So, I admit I need to be more open hearted less judemental.

The highlight of the outreach was meeting one 82 year old lady. She was a hoot. We laughed as she told us stories of her life and how she raised her kids who were now a doctor and an architect. She laughed as she told us 'We have come a long way, she then dropped the punch line with a twinkle in her eye, my daughter works in a an office... and now... she's over 20 white people. Times have sure changed.'

The night before the march, Pattie and I watched the documentary of the assassination of MLK and the story of James Earl Ray. Quite a contrast of belief systems and destiny. Again, I was moved by Martin's last talk the night before the his tragic end.

Your Karma Is Leaking

Thinking about modeling, and being an example... It's really who I am before the Lord first, and then man. It's about how one conducts his life in both arenas. 

It's more about internals than externals. Believe it or not it's more about our attitude than our actions. Our actions, to some extent reflect our attitudes.(you can't judge a book by it's cover, but as you read a book you discover hidden treasures). Our words (more realistically what's mixed with our words, sarcasm, boredom, impatience, frustration, anger) reveal our hearts. 

But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart. Jesus

Ideally, internal grace, love and mercy will be reflected by our words and our actions, if we are truly people of grace, love and mercy. The truth: We reflect are who we really are. 

If we are angry, we will leak _____________. If we are discontent, we will leak _________________. If we are frustrated, we will leak ______________. If we have a competitive spirit. we will leak ________________. If we are proud and self centered, we will leak ____________________.

If we are positive, we will leak ___________. If we are loving, we will leak __________. If we are graceful, we will leak _______________. If we are merciful, we will leak _______________. If we are forgiving, we will leak ___________________.

I think this is why Phil 2 was written... Paul writing says, Let this attitude be in you... He goes on to describe the attitude (humility) and how the action of the attitude should be revealed.

Truly understanding grace, should make us more graceful and reflect to others gracefulness. Truly understanding the love and mercy of God should cause us to be in awe of who He is and reflect to others what we have gracefully received.

Paul wrote,
So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that (how) we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.

Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.

Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 

Out of the interior life of the leader flows a certain kind of aura, ethos and culture. I call this the leadership “leak.” It is the leak from the leader and leadership team that creates what we call ethos or organizational culture. What is going on inside us automatically flows out. 

Ron Martoia,  Morph! The Texture of Leadership for Tomorrow’s Church 

I read the book Morph! a few years ago... I do know all leaders leak. They leak good things, and they leak bad things. The leaders goal should be to consistently leak good things, and to create a positive, uplifting, inclusive atmosphere / environment where encouragement and faith can dwell.

The challenge of every leader is to slow down... to evaluate ourselves honestly... to take a risk and ask our self the questions, What am I really leaking? Do I build up? or Do I tear down? Am I positive? or Am I negative? Am I patient? or Am I impatient? Am I full of grace? or Do I lack grace? Am I engaged? or Am I unengaged? Being self aware is a good place to start.

A good prayer to pray... Lord show me what am I leaking?

Sometimes I am aware, other times I'm not aware. This is why I need a good wife, honest friends(ask a friend, what am I leaking?) and time before the Lord. 

I like Paul's list of positive leaks... It's called the fruit of the Spirit.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Mercy

“Grace is what God gives us when we don't deserve it, and mercy is when God doesn't give us what we do deserve”

John Wesley taught that people must be Christians in both word and deed, which were to express the love of God. He believed that Christians must grow in God's grace, which first prepares us for belief, then accepts us when we respond to God in faith, and sustains us as we do good works and participate in God's mission.

'And, First, with regard to works of mercy. "Take heed,"that you do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: Otherwise you have no reward of your Father which is in heaven."

-- Although this only is named, yet is every work of charity included, every thing which we give, or speak, or do, whereby our neighbour may be profited; whereby another man may receive any advantage, either in his body or soul. The feeding the hungry, the clothing the naked, the entertaining or assisting the stranger, the visiting those that are sick or in prison, the comforting the afflicted, the instructing the ignorant, the reproving the wicked, the exhorting and encouraging the well-doer; and if there be any other work of mercy, it is equally included in this direction.'

“Heaven have mercy on us all - Presbyterians and Pagans alike - for we are all somehow dreadfully cracked about the head, and sadly need mending”
Herman Melville

“Teach me to feel another's woe,To hide the fault I see,That mercy I to others show,That mercy show to me.”
Alexander Pope

“The quality of mercy is not strained; It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed- It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes.”
William Shakespeare

“I would lose my way again, be led hopelessly astray again, just so I can pray again...For the mercy in you.”
Sabian Depeche Mode

“The very contradictions in my life are in some ways signs of God's mercy to me.”
Thomas Merton

It worked! Making Christmas Dreams Come True 2011.

This years approach to the Christmas season has been a huge success. Almost 150 families have been adopted by our caring Vineyard people. Our free store has been amazing and we have had our biggest year ever at Wrap it up with over 250 wrappers wrapping.

It is clear to us that people like having options, and simple steps to help them make a difference in someones life. So our focus on reaching our community was clearly presented. (see last blog entry)

 135 Adopt a Family Bags went to 5 elementary schools. The families adopted were selected by the school counselors who have had a connection with the parents and children. When the parents came to pick up the presents and clothing for their kids most were surprised and elated by the care taken by the Vineyard people to ensure their child's wish list was provided.

School Counselor's and teachers for our local school system selected the children for adoption and gave tickets to families in need for our free store.

 

Our free store was a huge success. Hundreds of presents were purchased and delivered. The store was open one Saturday and every evening during the week leading up to Christmas. We wanted to ensure people had options. If they worked Saturday, they would have had to make a decision to loose pay or shop for their family. The evenings allowed the family their best option. 

Every family was greeted at the door and given a guide to help them navigate the store. At the entrance to the store we provided parent escorts for the parents. The escorts guided the parents to the age and gender present area, help carry presents (some parents had 8 children, each child received 2 presents), and most importantly listen with care. 

After the parents shopped they were directed to the wrapping station to have their presents wrapped. If any children came with the parent we directed the children to the kidz zone where they could make a craft and pick up a present for their parent.

 One of the highlights: We were able to give gifts to 24 kids from seven families who are in hiding in safe houses for battered women. The case workers popped in to pick up gifts and to deliver the presents to the children. 

 

We are able to do all we do because our generous Vineyard people give, and serve beyond and above the norm, Making Christmas Dreams Come True for many.

Making Christmas Dreams Come True 2011

Over the last 7 years we focused on touching the urban area of Dayton with a Christmas party that touched over 9,000 people. This year we are seeking to be more strategic in our approach and have decided to reach out to the families who are most at risk in our local school systems.

This Christmas season we’ll remember God’s gift to us by giving and serving others. We’ll come together as the body of Christ to reach out to our communities, friends, family and co-workers.

We have large outreach events that are only achieved when we join together. We'll make sure that hundreds of kids in need receive gifts through our Making Christmas Dreams Come True Store.  We'll wrap presents for free at Fairfield Commons Mall at Wrap It Up! Adopt a Family for Christmas--the local schools have given us the names of at-risk students and their families for us to "adopt". Presents due back by December 15th. We'll deliver dozens of Krispy Kreme donuts during our Christmas Eve Donut Experience. Finally, we have some Do It Yourself ideas thrown in for your family or small group.

Clearly, in the midst of the holiday madness, you have your own shopping and schedules and family needs, so no one is expected to do everything. We would, however, encourage you to do something and to ponder what the season is really all about. Ask the question, How can we re-orient ourselves and our families as we look forward to Christmas 2011?

Along with your family or small group (or both), consider making your own outward-focused calendar by selecting some of the planned outreach events, and then fill in the blanks with some personal touches.

Perhaps you’ll write encouraging notes to someone in your life. Maybe this is the year you prayerfully invite some friends, neighbors, relatives or coworkers to the Christmas services so they can hear the Good News in a fresh way—and spark the spiritual conversation you’ve been hoping for.

How you can help 

Make Christmas Dreams Come True this year.

Volunteer at The Making Christmas Dreams Come True Store

Saturday, December 17th 9am to 5pm, and the evenings 6pm to 9pm the week of December 19th, in the Family Life Center you can help welcome our guests, or bring snacks, or wrap presents, or serve coffee, or help people find gifts, or offer prayer for their needs. You can also, help kids create crafts for their parents.

Purchase Christmas Presents (This is now the greatest need.)

Purchase kid-friendly presents for our Making Christmas Dreams Come True Store. Parents will come to our shop located in the Family Life Center and choose presents for their kids. We’ll need hundreds of presents, all shapes and sizes by December 15th.

Adopt a Family(this is completed thanks to all who chose a family.) Please return gifts in black bags labeled with family name and code by December 15th.

Wrap presents at the Fairfield Commons Mall

Beginning Friday December 9th through December 23rd we will be serving our community by wrapping presents for free. Monday - Thursday 12pm - 2pm and 6pm - 9pm. Friday - Sunday 12pm - 9pm. Sign up for a time slot at the Wrap It Up! tables located near the giving trees.

Invite a friend, family member, co-worker to our Christmas Services

Use our special invitation and invite people you know to our Christmas services. Invitations will be provided at our info centers.

• Christmas Eve Travelers Service 

Wednesday, December 21, 7pm, Beavercreek Campus

• Christmas Eve: 

Saturday, December 24th 6pm and 8pm Beavercreek Campus

Saturday, December 24, 6pm, Dayton Campus 

• Christmas Day:
  10am, Beavercreek Campus and Dayton Campus

Christmas Eve Donut Experience!

Pick up a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts on your way out after our Christmas Eve services. Drop off the donuts as you head home. Go to an emergency room, a fire station, a fast food drive-through, or any place where people are working on Christmas Eve.

Just Do It!

This is do-it-yourself, creative outreach. During the Christmas holidays seek to serve others by being friendly and noticing need. Go out of your way to serve others in your sphere of influence. Show a little love to a neighbor, push grocery carts back, go to a local business with goodies,  pay for the person behind you at the drive-through, or leave a gift for the people who serve you in the community.

Turkeys giving away turkeys recap.

Church gives away 500 Thanksgiving dinners

Volunteers surprise families with meal deliveries.

By Mark Gokavi, Staff Writer 12:05 AM Sunday, November 20, 2011
BEAVERCREEK — About 500 families got a knock on the door Saturday morning and received a free Thanksgiving dinner.

The Vineyard Church of Dayton and Beavercreek packed and delivered that many meals to families in Fairborn, Xenia, Huber Heights and Centerville as part of their “Turkeys Giving Away Turkeys” initiative.

Organizer Steve Bowen said nearly hundreds of volunteers put together packages including a frozen turkey, corn, green beans, yams, cranberry sauce, potatoes, macaroni and cheese, stuffing, rolls and more.

“To see the look on somebody’s face when you show up with a complete dinner and they didn’t know where their food was going to come from, it’s hard to believe,” said Scott Sliver, one of the pastors at The Vineyard.

The Vineyard also delivered regular groceries to families in need in Huber Heights, which is a program they help other groups with each month.

“The face of the poor is changing around town,” Sliver said. “It’s really hit the middle class pretty hard.”

We had a blast serving those in need by giving away the 550 turkey dinners. Stories are now coming in where people were surprised, encouraged and in some cases moved to tears. God space was created by a simple act of kindness which led to listening, dialogue and then genuine care expressed by hugs and prayer.

• One mom and daughter had just moved in the day before they were going out the door to sell some items to enable them to purchase needed items for Thanksgiving day. They were more than surprised when they saw the dinner offered for free.

• One of our team members was so moved by what he saw in one apartment that it caused him to run back to the truck to pick up a boxed dinner for a lady who only had icecubes in her fridge. He spent a lot of time caring for her by listening to her story.

• Another family had just delivered their turkey and went back to the truck to grab a dinner for another person in need. When they arrived there were no more dinners, so they responded by going to Kroger and purchasing a full dinner for a grateful family.

Several families who went were not aware that there were people in such need within their community. They were surprised, glad they could help, and at the same time upset by what they saw. They also came away from their experience personally grateful and thankful.

I often pose the question, How can you know, unless you go? Answer, you can't.

Going, seeing, serving and praying for others is really the only way to receive a personal ah-ha moment. These moments often are the catalyst that sparks personal involvement, lifestyle change and thankful gratitude.

Someone asked me, How do you do this week in and week out. It must affect you? I answer, Jesus said the poor you will have with you always, so I understand whatever I do in a small way, or in a great way,  is good enough.  I can't possibly meet every need, but I can meet and pray for some. Going also keeps me grounded and personally grateful for all I have received... like the ability to pay my bills, to have heat, to have running water, to have clothing, to have a family that is somewhat normal, and to have some great relationships.

How do you learn to serve? By serving.
How to you learn to love? By loving.
How do you learn to care? By going and seeing with your heart.
How do you learn to pray? By praying.

What we do is not rocket science by any means, it's just faith that works through love.