First Christian in Spencer, IA Highlighted in Disciples News Service

From Disciples News Service:

(May 6, 2008 – Spencer, Iowa) - Just a short while ago the congregation realized their need to make a better effort for outreach and evangelism in their community. After watching food prices dramatically increase, and after learning from their local school district that as many as 42 percent of students were on free and reduced lunches, they decided that Angel Food Ministries was right for them.

Angel Food Ministries is a nearly-nationwide ministry based out of Monroe, Ga., which partners with local congregations to provide a low-cost food ministry for their communities. Each month people have the opportunity to buy a box of groceries for $30, groceries which would ordinarily cost more than double that amount at the store.

This ministry provides a way to meet the needs of the community, get people in the doors of the church, build relationships, and creates opportunities to share the gospel. Additionally, for each unit of food sold, the church receives one dollar for their local outreach fund. In their first month, First Christian Church of Spencer impacted the lives of 146 different households from theirs and surrounding communities.

Additionally, a Lutheran congregation in Terril, Iowa and an Assembly of God congregation in
Sioux Falls, S.D., partnered with them to bring this ministry to their communities, too.

Altogether the three congregations sold 403 units of food this month, with Spencer contributing 344.

Pastor Dan Mayes shared his praise for this ministry, saying, “We’re so excited about what God is doing here! Obviously, a great need is being met through this ministry and we anticipate that it will continue to grow. And we pray that it will provide us with many opportunities to share the good news of God’s love with many more people.” To learn more about how your own congregation can be a blessing through Angel Food Ministries visit www.angelfoodministries.org.

Written by Pastor Dan Mayes
First Christian Church
PO Box 1440
Spencer, Iowa 51301
712-262-2945
www.spencerdisciples.org