See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!
And that is what we are! -1 John 3:1
From the Pastor's Heart, by Pastor Emma Leyva
During the month of May, 2023 our church leaders were diligently working to get all the requirements completed to become approved through the San Bernardino's Health Department. How did we ended up becoming an official food bank partner with Feeding America, you may wonder? We too, were amazed at how God opened the doors supernaturally to make this even possible. After many steps to become approved, complete our inspections, trainings needed, a pantry to build, shelves to be put up, insurance matters, and much prayer, we were still not ready to open as we had hoped to do so in the community.
A little frustrated, I inquired of the Lord through prayer, asking him to speak to my heart about this. So I surrendered all, including our own timelines and expectations. Then, I waited. As I was still before His presence, He had clearly put on my heart that it would be in June when this would happen. It was as if God the Father, was stepping in to pour out or "lavish" as John describes, seemingly without measure, the love and affirmation that we would receive as His children.
You must know that all of this was done by faith. God had put on our hearts to seek, find, and knock on the doors that only He could open. With so many in need of food and emergency assistance, we had believed God to bless the few loaves and bread that He had already given us. Although, we had no real budget for this, we knew that He was guiding us. We have learned to trust Him and 'walk by faith and not by sight'. Through His love, came the supernatural provision for so many, in the forms of grants as seed money to begin this outreach that God has given us all to care for and see it grow!
Pray about sharing this with someone in need. There is a simple intake form we need filled out (in English or Spanish) that we would need per household. Please contact our church office to reserve your box of food. Please note food items vary month to month depending on actual donations received.
Pray about becoming a volunteer to help us be ready before the Last Saturday of the month? We believe that this outreach ministry will continue to welcome many new people and families who are unchurched and/or not part of an active Christian faith community. What a special opportunity we have to share the love of the Father through this new "Breaking Bread Community Food Pantry" that God has birthed in our hearts and minds.
On Saturday, June 24, 2023 we were able to serve over 40 people in need. Before they were served, we were able to share the Gospel, teach them the Lord's Prayer (in English and Spanish) and partake of the Lord's Table through communion. We are pleased to say that everyone received, with such grateful hearts! And God truly gets the glory!
Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them.
Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread and fish to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. -Luke 9:16
Pastor's Prayer: Lord, lift up each of your sons and daughters who have never truly felt the love from their Earthly fathers. We ask you Abba Father, to reveal your unconditional or agape love to each of us in this season more than ever. We pray that the orphan and the widow would be cared for by the Body of Christ in this time. Touch our hearts to think of others besides ourselves. May you continue to bless our community pantry to bring supernatural provision, hope to the hungry, strength to the weary, and your love that never fails. Amen.
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