One Day to Feed the World

Highway Tabernacle was in financial distress. Her members had courageously determined to undertake the needed renovations on an abandoned church building in North Philadelphia’s Nicetown neighborhood. Like many worthy endeavors, the project stalled for want of funds. Morale was low. Some of the things that happened during the summer and fall months are better forgotten. At several low points, I was questioning myself and the decision to encourage the congregation to get involved.

As usual, the autumn mail was filled with year-end requests for funding worthy missions. The local missions appealed for monies to provide homeless people with shelter and needy families Thanksgiving dinners. Friends asked for our help in providing study Bibles needed by church leaders in distant places. If water wells were dug, thousands in Africa would be spared from death by starvation. I was all too familiar with year-end efforts to finish the financial year in the black.

At one of our lowest points a written appeal came from a favorite mission, Convoy of Hope. Convoy delivers food, water and a variety of services in large community events. The key ingredient of each event is a n offer to pray with honored guests before they leave the event site with bags of groceries, offer recipients a haircut, family photo, help writing a resume, or share a variety of other gifts. The written request caught my eye because my brother-in-law, Hugh Duncan, trains workers to pray with guests at Convoy outreaches. A telephone call from a Convoy representative added urgency and explanation of "One Day to Feed the World." I promised the caller that I would present the need to the deacons but secretly believed that the church could do little to help.

The "One Day to Feed the World" opportunity was near the bottom of the agenda for the deacon meeting. I made a somewhat apologetic presentation pointing out the present financial challenges before the church. I may have even said, "How many times can we ask the people to give?" The turning point in the meeting, and in the life of the church came as a deacon, my son-in-law, said, "I think we ought to give the people an opportunity to give. If they are moved to give, they will and we will be blessed."　An explanation of "One Day to Feed the World" was shared in several services. The congregation was asked to give one day’s wages to Convoy so that the less fortunate would experience a taste of Jesus’ generosity. The offering was received and counted. I was shocked and pleased with the response.

Almost immediately the church’s financial distress was eased. Gifts flowed in for the renovation project. Unsolicited funds came from several sources. I had never witnessed anything like what happened after the special appeal and generous offering was received.

Highway Tabernacle is participating again this year. Resurrection Life Church, the congregation which is housed in the once abandoned building, will add its offerings. In retrospect, I ought to never have hesitated to present another need. God blesses generosity. Saint Paul wrote by the Spirit about the dynamic of Christian generosity.
"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, yo u will abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."
"Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." – 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

And, I celebrate a word of wisdom delivered by the Spirit through my son-in-law! Otis courageously urged us to give people an opportunity to give. God met our need as we obeyed the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Pat and I will be sharing a "One Day to Feed the World" offering again this year and recommend the ministry of Convoy of Hope! Please join us!