PHILADELPHIA — Great Commission Church has always been an outreach-oriented church.
Through the Baptist Resource Network’s Disaster Relief, church members have been trained to be a “Ready Church” who commits to respond to crisis needs and share the gospel. Therefore, when the coronavirus pandemic hit, they immediately began seeking ways to support their community.
Through a BRN Disaster Relief partnership with Sysco Foods, Great Commission Church developed a food distribution ministry to the community.
The church fed over 100 families a week, and people who were struggling to provide for their families were now benefiting from these partnerships. However, when Sysco Foods ended their food donation distribution, which was a temporary reallocation of surplus foods that normally served schools, the church began purchasing the food that was needed to continue serving the community.
But then, due to the pandemic, Great Commission realized church offerings had decreased. This impacted their ability to sustain this ministry.
Accordingly, on Saturday, May 9, with less than $400 left in the COVID-19 Food Distribution Relief Fund, the pastoral staff decided, that unless God intervenes, this would be the last week they could offer food to the community.
Then, God moved.
Less than an hour following the meeting, Pastor Corey Mitchell of Winfield Baptist Church phoned Great Commission Pastor Larry Anderson to say his church leadership had voted to partner with Great Commission Church on the COVID-19 Food Distribution Relief Fund. Pastor Anderson could expect a check to assist in the next few days!
Amazing! Anderson said he never asked or shared the need.
“This was an awesome God moment!” said Anderson. “Praise God for partnerships!”
Anderson thanked Mitchell for the financial gift and invited Winfield Baptist Church to join Great Commission Church on the frontline in serving the community. Now, the two churches, a suburban church in Central Pennsylvania and the urban church in Philadelphia, will love their neighbors together!
