CostaMeda Baptist Association

"A servant can go anywhere." Sam Williams 


Each of our churches serve different communities. Sometimes we get it right. But sometimes we find ourselves locked out. This is the challenge that I keep working on. I am available to help the churches of our association to figure out how to get it right.

Parkhaven Church in Concord is three months into starting a new food pantry. We have helped 20 or 30 families each time we opened. We still have much to learn.

Two weeks ago I visited Share, the largest food pantry in Contra Costa County. It is housed at First Christian Church on Willow Pass. It is a well-stocked, well-managed, and long-standing work. They have a lot figured out. So I went to learn. The director, a pleasant and busy man, seemed a bit distracted when I tried to ask him a few questions. He was cordial and yet I felt like the outsider I was. 

Everything changed when I asked him if he needed volunteers. He showed me a calendar. He had the next Tuesday open and I signed up. From that point on I was an insider. We worked together and he gave me the keys. I learned more when we worked side by side and I learned more with diligent hands than with prying questions.

How many times are we outsiders- even in our own communities? Where are you disconnected from your community? Take on the role of a servant and maybe they will give you the keys.