The Keeling Baptist Church food ministry — called the “Keeling Cares Food Pantry” — provides bags of food for in-need families in the Stanton area.
STANTON — It’s amazing what a small church with a big heart can do.
Keeling Baptist Church, for instance, doesn’t have a megachurch membership, but does have a mega-passion for reaching others for Christ.
Located near BlueOval City in Stanton, the church started a new ministry last year called the Keeling Cares Food Pantry. The ministry provides bags of food for families in need.
“We’re a small church, but we have lots of participation from our members in this ministry,” said pastor Bob Lane. “And it’s been very exciting to see us do something that is really making a difference in our community.”
The church designates one day each month for individuals and families to pick up the bags of food. On that day, members of community often arrive early in the morning, forming a line outside the church. After they come through the building to register, Lane has a time of prayer with each family (or individual). The food is then delivered to the person’s car.
In November, the bags included a large frozen turkey — along with other items, including a dessert kit — for Thanksgiving. This month, the bags include a ham for Christmas.
Clay Gilbreath, director of missions for the Big Hatchie Association, said he believes the spirit and commitment of the Keeling Baptist Church body should be an inspiration for churches of all sizes.
“It is so encouraging when a congregation focuses on what they can do in order to reach the community around them,” Gilbreath said. “Any church can do that! It only takes a willing heart and being open to God’s leading.”
Lane said the ministry is an outlet for outreach and evangelism, with the goal being to see new believers come to faith in Jesus. This is what makes the prayer time with each family so important, he said.
“I’ve had the chance to see many, many prayers answered through this ministry,” he said. “We’ve seen wounds healed and lives improved.”
Members of the community form a line outside the Keeling Cares Food Pantry — an outreach and evangelism ministry of Keeling Baptist Church in Stanton. The ministry provides food, including turkeys for Thanksgiving and hams for Christmas, to in-need families.
“We believe the prayer time is even more important than the food for the people who come,” he said.
Lane said he is grateful for the support of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, which provided a one-time grant to help launch the ministry. The grant was provided through gifts to the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions.
“Keeling Baptist has found a great ministry and they are doing great things with it,” said Gilbreath. “And what is happening at Keeling is absolutely an encouragement and challenge to any church.
“See the need, meet the need, and watch how the Lord blesses,” he said. B&R
