After many months of dedicated organizing and lots of contemplative prayer among a large group of committed individuals, the first two Come to the Table Learning Tours are complete! Digging Deeper Within is off and running!
With participants traveling from hours away to both Greensboro and Fairview, it is hard not to believe in the power of our faith. Each attendee shared a call to service for the Lord, and a call to service for their neighbor. Folks came from all over–Kinston, High Point, Waynesville, Greensboro, Pittsboro, and Black Mountain–to see model food ministries in action, to brainstorm, to ask questions and to encourage one another in their work. And each person brought something invaluable to the table. We shared resources, the energy to contribute to the space and an unwavering faith in in our individual and collective ministry.
This was one of the first projects I had the pleasure to coordinate as a leader, and I could not be more proud of the results and the relationships strengthened in the process. The work of interviewing community projects that belong to our network, establishing host sites, gathering speakers and, finally, rallying participants was both humbling and thrilling.
I want to thank each of you who helped me in this process. As I traveled around the state, introduced myself to you and learned more about what you are doing, I felt renewed by your commitment. The display of faith and love that surrounds your work is truly remarkable. Each time I see a new project or speak to a new person, I am reminded of the simple phrase from Matthew 25:40 (NIV), “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me”. Each time you distribute a food basket, subsidize a market, harvest your produce or host a community meal you live out your faith.
As you walk in the ways of the Lord, remember that you are not alone. You belong to an entire network of projects and individuals across North Carolina that are engaged in similar devotion to this work. When you find yourself with questions, ideas, events or stumbling blocks, there is a fully committed and loving community to which you belong.
Lean on one another. If I have learned one thing from these Learning Tours so far, it is that there is more imagination, innovation and excitement out there than I could have ever imagined. Yes, looking at hunger statistics is bleak and frightening, but there is good work happening and good people fighting back.
Thank you for what you do. You inspire so many. Some you will meet, others you will not, but all are with you. So join us for our next Learning Tour, July 12th in Conetoe. Come build and grow your ministries with others across North Carolina!
Click here to view all the photos from our Piedmont Learning Tour.
Click here to view all the photos from our Western Learning Tour.