One point of Bradfordville’s vision statement is “loving outward.” Our prayer is to love people in our city and around the world. MANNA is one ministry that is “loving outward.” Brenda Garner and many volunteers love the Lord and the “least of these” two times a month. Relationships are developed; food is given out; prayers are offered; God’s Word is taught; and lived are touched. MANNA volunteers have given away over one million pounds of food. Way to go Brenda and all MANNA volunteers!
Bob Bullard recently wrote and sent me the following description of the MANNA ministry. Bob, thank you for granting me permission to share your article with our church family and friends.
THE BIBLICAL MODEL FOR MANNA MINISTRIES
Psalm 78:24 tells us that, “God rained down manna for them to eat; He gave them bread from heaven.” Today God provides this “bread from heaven” by using sources such as Second Harvest, Farm Shares, individual and corporate contributions, and many others. But ultimately it is still food from God.
Jesus Himself gave the biblical model for MANNA Ministries distribution of this food in the feeding of the 5,000. Mark 6:30-44 tells us that this miraculous feeding occurred “late in the afternoon.” MANNA distributes food from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm every first and third Tuesday afternoon. In verse 34, Mark tells us that even before He distributed the food, “Jesus began teaching them many things.” MANNA conducts a special Bible study for our MANNA guests prior to giving out food. Mark 6:41 tells us that Jesus “broke the loaves into pieces and divided the fish for everyone to share.” This process for MANNA occurs when all the food is divided equally into bags by volunteers. Mark 6:40 says, “The people gathered in groups of fifty and a hundred.” MANNA hands out food to approximately 100 families at each distribution. Mark 6:41 says, “Jesus took the five loaves and two fishes, looked up toward heaven and blessed them.” Before any food is given out by MANNA, all volunteers gather in a circle, hold hands, and ask God to bless the food and those who receive it. Finally, Mark 6:41 says that “Jesus kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people.” At MANNA, every bag of food is handed to those in need by volunteers. Disciples serving outward.
By faithfully following the biblical model set by Jesus, MANNA Ministries has been blessed to distribute more than one million pounds of “manna from heaven” to thousands of needy people in Tallahassee.
Church family, as we pray, let’s thank the Lord for Brenda and the many MANNA volunteers who serve and “love outward” every month. God is using His people and this ministry!
Serving the Least of These,
Pastor Ronny
Matthew 25:31-46