Delivering Thanksgiving Food Baskets and Sharing the Gospel

Thanksgiving Basket Outreach

November 18, 2017

This ministry created the Thanksgiving Food Basket outreach

I participated in a Thanksgiving Food Basket outreach today that was created by an evangelism ministry named, "Operation Save Kansas City".  There were dozens of Christians who took part in this outreach.  

Each food basket had approx. $200 worth of food that was given to families who could use it who live in the South Kansas City and Grandview, Missouri areas.  

We had 25 teams of two, an evangelist and a discipler, who went out and delivered three food baskets each (a total of 75 food baskets).  I was teamed up with Kenya.  We had a great time serving the Lord today.  

The first place we went to was to see a man named Gary.  He was a really nice guy.  He had some physical problems and had quite a few other things going on in his life that was tough.  Most of his family has already passed away and he is alone.  He had pictures of his wife and kids in his room and was telling us about them.  We really felt compassion for this man.  

We asked Gary to talk about his "God story" - his religious background.  He has had experience with Catholicism and Christian denominations, and has had friends who were Buddhist and other religions.  He said he has studied other religions as well as Christianity.  He said that his faith has been failing, but after talking with him, it didn't appear to be a Christian faith.  He said that he has prayed to God and asked for a fresh start, but he hasn't really seen any changes.    

Kenya and I shared our testimony with him.  We explained what it meant to be born again.  That we must repent (see our sin the way God sees it, regret it, and be willing to turn from our sin and turn to God and live for Him) and trust in Jesus, as well as pick up our cross daily and live for Him.  I explained that Jesus said that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments.  

I asked Gary if he was ready to surrender his life to the Lord and be saved.  He thought about it for a few seconds and said, "I don't know".  He wasn't ready.  He also kept interrupting our testimonies and when we were talking about what it meant to be born again.  He explained that he used to do many good things when he was younger, give away food, help people come out of drug houses, etc.  It was as if he was trying to show us how good he was.  I explained all that is good, but God says even our righteous acts are like filthy rags to the Lord, that's why we need Jesus to forgive us from our sins.  

He asked me, "So, are you saying that unless everyone believes like you are saying, they are wrong?"

I said, "Yes, they are wrong if they believe they will get to heaven without believing in Jesus".  I said, "The Bible says that Jesus said that I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No man comes to the father except through me.  Also, there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.  Jesus also said that unless a man is born-again he cannot enter the Kingdom of God".  

He kind of just shook his head and thought about it for a second and then started saying how much he has studied other religions and they all have good parts to them.  

Kenya gave him a packet of information that had a list of good, local churches and other information.  He said he appreciated it, as he needs some help.  He said he currently attends a Christian church.  

I think Gary is really searching for God.  We asked him if we can pray for him.  He said yes.  We prayed for him for his physical problems and for Jesus to reveal to him that he loves him and draws him to God.  We all shook hands and we told him that we loved him and we will continue praying for him.  He told us thank you for the food basket that we delivered.


Kenya and I then went back to "base camp" to pick up our next basket of food and cold items and headed out to the second house.  


We went to deliver a food basket to a single mom named Tamika.  She had four children.  We took the food up to her apartment and she said that she is going through some tough times in her life, but that she is a believer and that her grandfather is a pastor.  She didn't really seem too open to having a conversation with us at this time.  The way she mentioned her grandfather being a preacher seemed like she was saying she is saved because she has a grandpa for a pastor.  Only God knows her heart and if she is truly born again.  We will be praying for her.  


She did allow us to pray for her and her family.  Her kids were well behaved and respectful, and a couple of them said, "Amen" when the prayer was finished.  Kenya handed her the information kit that had a list of local churches, and there was also a sheet included with information to call and enroll children to receive free Christmas gifts.  She thanked us for the food and we left. 


Kenya and I went back to our base of operations and picked up our next basket of food and cold items (both freezer and refrigerated items), and headed out to our next house.


This time we went to see Gloria. We went to her house and she had several people in the house - her husband, her grown daughter, and great-grandchildren.  Gloria said that she is a believer, and has been going to the same church since 1990.  She said she had gone through diabetes problems back then and God showed Himself alive to her.  


We spoke to her for a little while, and Kenya gave her the packet that had local churches listed and the form for free Christmas gifts for children.  She thanked us for the food and supplies.  She saw the toilet paper in the basket and said that it is a blessing because they are on their last roll of toilet paper right now.  That just goes to show that God loves them and provides in a time of need.  


We prayed for them and left.  They were very thankful for the items.  


We arrived back at base and did a little clean up and departed.  It was a wonderful time serving the Lord and being a witness for Him, as well as doing good works by delivering the needed food at the time.  


I thank God for the ministry, "Operation Save Kansas City", and for Laurie, who leads it.  This Thanksgiving Basket outreach was the idea of Angela.  She is the one that did all the work to set it up, etc.  I thank God for her.  


In Christ, 

Brad St. Clair