Mark 6:37 Project
The Mark 6:37 Project has been birthed in vision and wrapped in prayer. The Project is a culmination of, and yet an addition to, the Mercy Ministry here at Blessed Hope. It is the umbrella over the food pantry, meal service and other acts of mercy within the community.
The words of Mark 6:37 are mingled within the action of the Feeding of 5000. It is important that you understand the basis of all we raise our hands to do:
34: When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So He began teaching them many things. 35: By this time it was late in the day, so His disciples came to Him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. 36: Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”
37: But He answered, “You give them something to eat.”
They said to Him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” 38: “How many loaves do you have?” He asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.” 39: Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40: So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41: Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to His disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42: They all ate and were satisfied, 43: and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish.
We see those who need food around us, yes; and through the Mercy Ministry, we do positively affect the access to food for those who need it. In fact, God has blessed us to overflowing capacity and raised up workers! The community is coming on board in increasing numbers because they recognize there is a problem that needs to be fixed, and they look to us for guidance on how to address those issues.
We have focused attention on one particular question God keeps asking: What about the ones who can’t get to us? Perhaps transportation or health issues prevent them from coming to us. Perhaps it’s addiction or shame or ignorance. Whatever the reason God is asking us to step up and stand in the gap.
The proposal is that we will partner with local churches/organizations that will commit to serving a meal in connection with their pantry hours. We would provide what we had to help with the meal, and they would serve it at their location. We would also like to help local pantries fill out what they have to offer by sharing some of our excess. Sometimes it is difficult to keep up all aspects of a meal, but if we all share the resources God has and is providing, we believe all food pantries will be able to provide enough to those in need. As you can see, this will take a lot of work, and not just from Blessed Hope. It requires the whole community – all of Downriver, in fact – to answer “Yes, Lord, we can.” when He says “feed them.”
If you are interested in The Mark Project, sit down and talk with Pastor Crystal as soon as you can! Please, please, please pray for provision, for clarity and wisdom from the Lord, and for courage to do what the Lord commands.
