Using Food as a Ministry, Part 1

The next two blogposts are interviews that I have done, one with a friend whose mother uses food as a ministry and another from a friend at our church who has personally blessed Andrew and I with her food ministry.

The first of the two interviews I did was with Jackie Shoemaker, whose mother, Nancy Shoemaker, has used food and her cooking skills in an unexpected ministry. The following questions are what I asked Jackie about her mother’s ministry.

• Q: Tell me a little background about your mother and her ministry in your church?

A: My mom knew she wanted to help in the church in any way she could, but felt like she didn’t have other talents, so being to make food for everything. Whenever there was a function with food, she would always have made the best food there.

Soon everyone was asking her to make food for numerous activities. She began talking with people and was asked to do a breakfast for the community to share the Gospel weekly. It was so professional and she spent hours on it weekly. We have had tons of people getting saved every week from her ministry.

• Q: What would you say your mom’s motivation to serve others?

A: She has been doing this for many years. If there has been anyone who needs a meal, she will make food without being asked. She just wants to serve. Her motivation for ministry was because she wasn’t focused completely on the food (other than making appealing), but she was more focused on the point and the people.

• Q: From your perspective what is some advice she would want to give?

A: For cooking: use whole ingredients and don’t skip steps or take short cuts. Always practice! I always expected that my mom would say that to me as I made food! But, more importantly, in ministry: look at the talents the Lord has given and use them. Even if I’s not a typical talent, you can use it in or out of the church.

• Q: Favorite dessert?

A: Peanut butter bars with chocolate on the top. They are soo good!

Nancy Shoemaker has used her talents for making food as a ministry in their church. Not only has the ministry grown to be a help for people’s basic necessities, but also been a great avenue for providing for the spiritual needs of others. As Jackie said, many people have come for food and left having been introduced to Christ. Providing for the physical needs of others is a wonderful way to share Christ’s love and help them know where they will spend eternity.